“Unfortunately, gambling and winning do not often go hand in hand. » Pete Rose – My prison without bars. Gaming should be a recreational pastime, and for many people, it is just that. For about 2 to 3 percent of Americans, it is a major problem in their lives. They are pathological gamblers; Some studies indicate that they spend around $5 billion a year on gambling. When gambling becomes a problem, it impacts a person's social, emotional, and financial life. The legalization of gambling in America creates a widespread problem; pathological gamblers cannot resist the irresponsible urge to gamble, even though the impact could ruin their marriages, jobs and financial security. The sad thing here is that a person can very easily hide the fact that they are losing control of themselves when it comes to gambling, at least for a while. When family or friends finally realize what is happening. The player has a real addiction. There are several causes of pathological gambling, one particularly common cause among gambling addicts is depression. The player will use the game to cope or hide from their feelings or depression. While playing, they can get lost in the game and wander off. Gambling can fill a void in a person's life, such as loneliness, loss or dissatisfaction at work, a poor social life, or an empty nest can all play a role in a gambling addiction. Many pathological gamers have a distorted view of their financial situation. I recently interviewed a fellow student with a gambling problem, she said her finances were in shambles, she told me all she needed was one big win to get out of debt and be happy. It never occurred to him that gambling was the main reason his finances were in disarray. She admits...... middle of paper ......al Health, February 2001. Web. March 1, 2014. “Biological Basis of Problem Gambling.” Game Recovery .org. Np, and Web. April 4, 2014. Grant, JE, Brewer, JA, & Potenza, MN (2006). The neurobiology of substance and behavior addictions. CNS Spectra, 11(12), 924-930. Internet. April 3, 2014. Blum, K., Cull, JG, Braverman, ER, & Comings, DE (1996). Reward deficit syndrome. American Scientist, 84, 123-1 45. Web.03 April 2014.Dackis, C. and O'Brien, C. (2005). Neurobiology of addiction: consequences for treatment and public policies. Natural neuroscience, 8, 1431-1436. Web.03 April 2014.University of Granada, “Gaming addicts show abnormalities in brain function that affect their decision-making ability.” Daily Science. Science Daily, November 5, 2013. Web. March 01, 2014. 2013 AGA Casino Entertainment Survey. American Gaming Association Representative, 2013. Web. April 2. 2014.