An impulse-control disorder whose pathological and maladaptive nature is suggested by the following: preoccupation with gambling; handicapping or planning the next venture with scheming to get money to gamble with; a need to gamble with more and more money in order to achieve the desired excitement; restlessness or irritability when attempting to reduce or stop gambling, or failure to stop; concealment of the extent of involvement in gambling from others; illegal activity used to finance gambling; or negative effects on significant relationships or career opportunities.
Frequent, compulsive, uncontrolled, or addictive wagering or betting.
This refers to a long-term inability to resist the urge to gamble, leading to issues in personal, social, and/or financial aspects of life.