Overview
More than 80 percent of American adults and 94 percent of Minnesotan adults have gambled. Most have done so as entertainment. However, four percent of adults in the U.S. suffer negative consequences from their gambling and another one percent (approximately 2 million Americans) are pathological gamblers.

Definition
Problem gamling is gambling that causes negative psychological, physical, social or vocational consequences. It affects people of all cultures, ages, genders and socioeconomic categories.

If no addressed, problem gambling can lead to pathological or compulsive gambling, which is a diagnosable mental health disorder.

Symptoms

• Increased frequency of gambling
• Increased amounts of money gambled
• Excessive gambling during work or family time
• Preoccupation with gambling or finding money with which to gamble
• Appearing to get a “high” from gambling
• Borrowing money through loans or life insurance policies, maxing out credit cards, or taking out secret loans
• Frequent mood swings—higher when winning, lower when losing
• Secretive behavior, such as lying about gambling, hiding lottery tickets or getting mail at work rather than home

If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, call the Korean Service Center and WE CAN HELP

email: meeockpark@koreanservicemn.org
Phone: 612-339-0009