• The compulsive gambler may be a person of either gender, of any age and from any social, ethnic and economic group.

• Compulsive gamblers wager on any form of legal and/or illegal gambling, including the area of business and the financial markets.

• High school and college students have a higher rate of compulsive gambling than the general adult population.

• An individual who has had a problem with any substance is at a higher risk for developing a gambling problem. The compulsive gambler is often more difficult to identify than the substance abuser.

• People with serious mental/emotional disorders (especially depression) have a higher risk for compulsive gambling.

• Compulsive gamblers usually deny they have a problem and wait until the situation is desperate before seeking help. Family and friends are encouraged to seek assistance for themselves and information regarding how to increase the likelihood the compulsive gambler will seek help.

Developed from the Connecticut Council on Problem gambling website (www.ccpg.org)