Pasted this from a source on the internet........consider point
number 1 as valid. Notice some of the keywords by the MD:
"skilled", "control", "not addicted", "patiently wait" are used to
sum up what it takes to be professional gambler. Unfortunately most
of us are impatient, lack the proper skill & think that we are
very smart or lucky = losers!
Robert L. Custer, M.D., identified six types of gamblers:
1) Professional gamblers
Professional gamblers make their living by gambling and thus
consider it
a profession. They are skilled in the games they choose to play and
are able
to control both the amount of money and time spent gambling.
Thus,
professional gamblers are not addicted to gambling. They patiently
wait for
the best bet and then try to win as much as they can.
2) Anti-social or personality gamblers
In contrast to professional gamblers, antisocial or personality
gamblers
use gambling as a way to get money by illegal means. They are
likely to be
involved in fixing horse or dog races, or playing with loaded dice
or marked
cards. They may attempt to use a compulsive gambling diagnosis as a
legal
defense.
3) Casual social gamblers
Casual social gamblers gamble for recreation, sociability and
entertainment. For them, gambling may be a distraction or a form
of
relaxation. Gambling does not interfere with family, social or
vocational
obligations. Examples of such betting are the occasional poker
game, Super
Bowl bets, a yearly trip to Las Vegas and casual involvement in the
lottery.
4) Serious social gamblers
In contrast, serious social gamblers invest more of their time
in
gambling. Gambling is a major source of relaxation and
entertainment, yet
these individuals place gambling second in importance to family
and
vocation. This type of gambler could be compared to a "golf nut,"
whose
source of relaxation comes from playing golf. Serious social
gamblers still
maintain control over their gambling activities.
5) Relief and escape gamblers
Custer's fifth type, relief and escape gamblers, gamble to find
relief
from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness.
They use
gambling to escape from crisis or difficulties. Gambling provides
an
analgesic effect rather than a euphoric response. Relief and escape
gamblers
are not compulsive gamblers. They are identical to relief and
escape
drinkers.
6) Compulsive gamblers
Compulsive gamblers have lost control over their gambling. For
them,
gambling is the most important thing in their lives. Compulsive
gambling is
a progressive addiction that harms every aspect of the gambler's
life. As
they continue to gamble, their families, friends and employers
are
negatively affected. In addition, compulsive gamblers may engage
in
activities such as stealing, lying or embezzling which go against
their
moral standards. Compulsive gamblers cannot stop gambling, no
matter how
much they want to or how hard they try.