Five or more of the following indicate pathological gambling:

1. Is preoccupied with gambling (eg. Preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).

2. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.

3. Has repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, cutback, or stop gambling.

4. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.

5. Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g. feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression)

6. After losing money returns another day to get even (chasing losses).

7. Lies to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.

8. Has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, etc. to finance gambling.

9. Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.

10. Relies on others to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling.