Compulsive gamblers?

What percentage of poker players would you consider to be compulsive gamblers?

That's actually a really good question, and I'd be very curious to know the real answer. My guess is maybe 10%. I'm basing that guess off of the people I know in real life who play poker.

In a deliberative reunion about the regulation of the games at Chamber of Deputies in Brazil, André Akkari (professional player) said that the percentage in Legas Vegas, for example, according with the American Association, 2.9% of casino players are compulsives. Curious, because i tried to search and i didn't see anything talking about it. Maybe this is a bluff, everything is possible.

100%

freestocks said:

100%

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agreed if you define 'poker player' as someone who plays regularly

poker is gambling, and if you play it all the time you are compulsive a+b=c

I never stopped to think that, its a good question... By "compulsive", I think the 2,9% a great number, maybe online this number could be bigger... But shouldn't reach 5%

If you stay within good BRM, and actually know how to play poker, then its not just gambling.
I suppose there are players out there that cant play, but just gamble there money for fun, but I would like to think it is only a small percentage.

Warning Signs of Online Poker Addiction

online poker addicts may not be aware of the huge dents they are making in their savings. Where they once played for real dollars, they now see only “credits” in a browser window. An addict can spend hours on end at the keyboard, losing track of time and forgetting to sleep or eat. Loved ones are ignored in the process. Nothing seems to matter but the game.
But online poker addiction does not happen overnight—one day fine, the next day dependent. It is a process that takes over a susceptible player gradually, almost imperceptibly, until certain signals emerge to announce trouble ahead. Interest is turning into obsession. Others begin to notice changes, such as the following.
• Unable to differentiate between money used for gambling and used for living.
• Inability to take a day or a weekend away from online poker rooms.
• Borrowing money from friends, relatives or financial institutions to play poker.
• Lying to family about amounts of time spent online and money lost playing poker.
• Loss of job interest and instead thinking about game strategies at the workplace.
• Mood swings characterized by sullenness, short temper, anxiety and/or depression.
Observing one or more of these symptoms, in one’s self or in someone close, should trigger concern. It could be time for an intervention. The situation may warrant immediate action to stop a growing compulsion from becoming full blown addiction.

SOURCE:onlinepokerrealmoney

I believe there are few people gambling around, loosing money and rebuying without having any thought about spending their money for other things. Maybe about 10-15%.

I know alot of poker sites have advertising about gamblers anonymous etc but i think they could do alot more.

Firstly I don't like the idea of when you open the poker client, having popups and easily clickable links to sports betting and slot machines/roulette etc. If they want to provide those services then I think they should have 3 separate clients.

Also they can do analysis on players and see if they are losing and depositing on a regular basis and things like keep moving up in stakes and playing bigger buyins but losing at the same time.

rhombus said:

I know alot of poker sites have advertising about gamblers anonymous etc but i think they could do alot more.

Firstly I don't like the idea of when you open the poker client, having popups and easily clickable links to sports betting and slot machines/roulette etc. If they want to provide those services then I think they should have 3 separate clients.

Also they can do analysis on players and see if they are losing and depositing on a regular basis and things like keep moving up in stakes and playing bigger buyins but losing at the same time.

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so then at restaurants they should have fitness trainers telling them they are too fat, or doctors at smoke shops x-raying peoples lungs? where does it end

people need to start taking it upon themselves to stop the bad things they do instead of expecting the supplier of their habit to foot the expense to try and stop them - man up and get a clue - being simple/weak minded should not be the burden of a company supplying a service

Back home close to 80%, worldwide taking in consideration Russians, Ukranians, Romanians, Brazilians, it will get close to 95%. :joyman:

As you put it, some people are weak and simple including children and that's who the companies exploit. They prey upon peoples weaknesses. Simple things like putting candy next to the tills

On the other hand some people are very intelligent and still fall prey to the temptations whether it be food, alchohol, drugs gambling etc so what chance have the weak ones got.

Shouldn't people be encouraged or helped if they have a problem or do you just abandon the weak and simple.

In my opinion I think that 100% of the players have compulsiveness.

When playing someone every day as a particular patient, I'm probably too sick.

maybe 100% lol all players at some point in the game

addicts 99.00 %, gamblers 5% - there is a lot of difference between enjoying and playing a lot and being so locked into a sport or game that it completely dominates your life and money.

Oh Oh - I better not let my wife see this forum.

detroitjunkie said:

poker is gambling, and if you play it all the time you are compulsive a+b=c

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^ this

Poker is gambling, and if you feel compelled to play the game on a regular basis then you are, by definition, a compulsive gambler.

Whether that's a good or bad thing for someone isn't my place to judge. But you can't argue with the facts

Countermeasures Available

Just as in cases of alcohol or drug abuse, the initial step is to admit there is a problem. Something is clearly not right. That step must be followed by a desire to get help. Only those who want to change will be able to take the remedial measures necessary to recover, which are several in approach and severity.
First, turn off the computer and stop playing. Take a break for at least a week. Get involved in other activities and monitor moods. Ask family and friends for support in going “cold turkey.” If the compulsion to play subsides, wait another week before going back online for a game.
If the time away becomes unbearable or the compulsion returns, cancel subscriptions to all poker web sites used. Withdraw any funds and pay off credit cards with them. Make it difficult to access games, using “parental controls” software to block connection to any site offering poker. Players can also ask to be listed in the “self prohibition” database of the poker rooms so that reregistering is not possible.
Then, join a self-help group, there players can learn more about their problem, join discussions with others who are recovering and find resources for further assistance.
Online poker addiction should not be taken lightly. It can ruin lives. Research indicates that at least 5% of all adult online players are compulsive, and as many as one in ten young adults who play will at some point succumb to addiction. None of them needs to face the problem alone. Help is there for anyone willing to reach out and accept it.

SOURCE:onlinepokerrealmoney

From the people I've met? 40%+

rhombus said:

As you put it, some people are weak and simple including children and that's who the companies exploit. They prey upon peoples weaknesses. Simple things like putting candy next to the tills

On the other hand some people are very intelligent and still fall prey to the temptations whether it be food, alchohol, drugs gambling etc so what chance have the weak ones got.

Shouldn't people be encouraged or helped if they have a problem or do you just abandon the weak and simple.

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absolutely not - in fact i believe the biggest problem in this world today is mental health issues - which lead people to do all things bad - but as I stated - it should not be the burden of a company that knows nothing about it - it should be the burden of society and governments - social programs and healthcare - people who know how to and have the means to make a difference - but I bet no one wants to pay for it - they never do - they always try to push it on to someone else

at most a site should just post warnings and provide information on how to get help - not seek out troubled people and try to fix them or force them to behave properly- its not their business - plus if they cut someone off, they are just going to go somewhere else - fixes nothing

Probably somewhere in between 80-100% poker is gambling if you don't know how to manage yourself while playing.

I'd have to say 80%. It would be interesting to see a casino study.

Compulsive gamblers usually will end up with an addiction along with the negative's consequences.To discuss further about related topic you may also go to my other thread and feel free to leave your own comments there.>Poker-Passion or Addiction?

The higher you go in stakes the more they are found. At the highest level, they are gamblers first although they know how to work the odds in there favor .