money for gambling losses are typically the least  often endorsed criteria and most often oc-
cur among those with more severe gambling disorder. Furthermore,  individuals present-
ing for treatment of gambling disorder typically have moderate to severe forms of the
disorder.
Diagnostic Features
Gambling involves risking something of value in the hopes of obtaining something of
greater value. In many cultur es, individuals gamble on game s and events, and most do so
without experiencing problems. However, so me individuals develo p substantial impair-
ment related to their gambling behaviors. Th e essential feature of gambling disorder is
persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family,
and/or vocational pursuits (Criterion A). Gamb ling disorder is defined as a cluster of four
or more of the symptoms listed in Criterion A occurring at any time in the same 12-month
period.
A pattern of “chasing one’s losses” may deve lop, with an urgent need to keep gam-
bling (often with the placing of larger bets or the taking of greater risks) to undo a loss or
series of losses. The individual may abandon his or her gambling strategy and try to win
back losses all at once. Although many gamblers may “chase” for short periods of time, it
is the frequent, and often long-term, “chase” that is characteristic of gambling disorder
(Criterion A6). Individuals may lie to family members, therapists, or others to conceal the
extent of involvement with gambling; these instances of deceit may also include, but
are not limited to, covering up illegal behaviors such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embez-
zlement to obtain money with which to gamble (Criterion A7). Individuals may also en-