The Biology of Gambling is the third volume in the Gambling Theory and Research Series. Author Mikal Aasved wrote this series to meet the need for a comprehensive review and synthesis of the many published materials pertaining to gambling theory and research. The series summarizes and critiques the findings and conclusions of investigators who have attempted to determine the motivations for gambling, both normative and excessive. Dr. Aasved provides a thorough examination of the research efforts and theoretical explanations of leaders in the field of gambling studies. This volume focuses on the etiological or causal theories that have been advanced by specialists in the medical sciences, an increasing number of whom are adopting the view that biological factors play an important role in the developmnet of many addictive, obsessive-compulsive, and other maladaptive behavior disorders. The fifteen chapters are divided into four parts. Part I reviews medical or disease models of addiction, discussing early and later conceptions. The core features of addiction, the alcohol dependence syndrome, heritability of addiction, longitudinal studies, and the quest to discover the biological basis of addiction are explored in detail. Part II examines the medical models of pathological gambling by exploring early ideas on gambling and human evolution, recent definition and diagnosis of pathological gambling, criticisms of the medical and addiction models, treatment goals, and the ongoing quest to discover the biological basis of pathological gambling. Part III concerns multicausal models of pathological gambling, and focuses on general theories of addiction, gambling-specific theories, and finishes with a critique of multicausal approaches. Part IV integrates the contents of the book by highlighting its main points and offering such concluding observations as: "Where do we now stand, and where do we go from here?" This book, as well as the entire

This book documents the history of ideas about problem gambling and its link to addictive disorders. The book uses a combination of literature review and conceptual and linguistic analysis to explore the way ideas about problem gambling gave changed over time. It examines the religious, socio-cultural, and medical influences on the development of the concept of problem gambling as a disease, along with the ways in which such ideas were influenced by attitudes about substance abuse. The history of mental illness, notably as it pertains to themes such as loss of control over behavior, is also addressed. The book ends with a discussion of the current status and future prospects, with an eye to which ideas about problem gambling and addictions seem most promising and which should perhaps be left behind.​

The most comprehensive source for the latest research and practicetechniques for diagnosing and treating addictive disorders "This book brings together an array of international experts onaddictive disorders. Robert Coombs's Handbook of AddictiveDisorders discusses the contemporary issues surrounding theunderstanding of addiction, from diagnosis to treatment of anaddicted client. The Handbook of Addictive Disorders is anexample of practical and clinical information at its best." -Lorraine D. Grymala, Executive Director American Academy of HealthCare Providers in the Addictive Disorders The Handbook of Addictive Disorders: A Practical Guide toDiagnosis and Treatment is a comprehensive, state-of-the-artresource, featuring valuable contributions from a multidisciplinaryteam of leading experts. This unique guide deftly defines addictionand examines its comorbidity with other problems. Subsequentchapters present an overview of addictive disorders coupled withstrategies for accurately diagnosing them, planning effectivetreatment, and selecting appropriate interventions. Chapters onpublic policy and prevention are of indispensable value in light ofthis growing health concern. The only reference available to cover the full spectrum ofaddictions and addictive behaviors, the Handbook of AddictiveDisorders provides the most current research and treatmentstrategies for overcoming: Chemical dependency Workaholism Compulsive gambling Eating disorders Sex addiction Compulsive buying This useful guide features case studies, figures and diagrams,lists of practical interventions for each disorder, andself-assessment exercises for clients. Psychologists, addiction counselors, social workers, and othersworking in the addictions field will find the Handbook ofAddictive Disorders to be an essential resource for practical,validated information on all types of addictions and their relatedproblems.

For the first time in one volume self-harm, substance abuse, eating-disordered behavior, gambling, and Internet and cyber sex abuse—five crippling, self-destructive behaviors—are given a common conceptual framework to help with therapeutic intervention. Matthew Selekman and Mark Beyebach, two internationally-recognized therapists, know first-hand that therapists see clients who have problems with several of these habits in varying contexts. They maintain an optimistic, positive, solution-focused approach while carefully addressing problems and risks. The difficulties of change, the risk of slips and relapses, and the ups-and-downs of therapeutic processes are widely acknowledged and addressed. Readers will find useful, hands-on therapeutic strategies and techniques that they can use in both individual and conjoint sessions during couple, family, and one-on-one therapy. Detailed case examples provide windows to therapeutic processes and the complexities in these cases. Clinical interventions are put in a wider research context, while research is reviewed and used to extract key implications of empirical findings. This allows for a flexible and open therapeutic approach that therapists can use to integrate techniques and procedures from a variety of approaches and intervention programs.

The Chinese are known throughout the world as avid gamblers with a long history of participation in games of chance. Historians have documented wagering on such games as far back as the early Chinese dynasties. Despite measures by ancient Chinese rulers to contain gambling, it proliferated, and Chinese games have evolved and multiplied since then. Desmond Lam provides a unique look into the little-known world of Chinese gambling from historical, cultural, psychological, and social perspectives.Chinese gamblers regularly patronize casinos in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The recent expansion of gambling in East Asia has attracted much global media attention. Macau, the only place in China where casino gambling is now legal, easily surpasses Las Vegas as the world's largest casino gaming market. Each year, Chinese from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan account for almost 90 percent of visitors to Macau.The expansion of the Chinese gambling industry has brought about much harm to Chinese communities, despite all of the development it has also stimulated. This book is the first to examine the beliefs, motivations, attitudes, and behaviors of Chinese gamblers, and will be of interest to students of history and sociology, as well as those studying the history and culture of China.

This book presents research into gambling, showing the psychological variables that govern erosion or maintenance of self-control.

Full of practical information on assessing, diagnosing, and treating alcohol gambling addiction, this handy manual in the new Wiley Series on Treating Addictions is an invaluable tool for anyone who works with clients experiencing problems with gambling.

The book adopts a critical cultural studies lens to explore the entanglement of government and gambling in everyday life. Its qualitative approach to gambling creates a new theoretical framework for understanding the most urgent questions raised by research and policy on gambling. In the past two decades, gambling industries have experienced exponential growth with annual global expenditure worth approximately 300 billion dollars. Yet most academic research on gambling is concentrated on problem gambling and conducted within the psychological sciences. Nicoll considers gambling at a moment when its integration within everyday cultural spaces, moments, and products is unprecedented. This is the first interdisciplinary cultural study of gambling in everyday life and develops critical and empirical methods that capture the ubiquitous presence of gambling in work, investment and play. This book also contributes to the growing cultural studies literature on video and mobile gaming. In addition to original case studies of gambling moments and spaces, in-depth interviews and participant observations provide readers with an insider’s view of gambling. Advanced students of sociology, cultural theory, and political science, academic researchers in the field of gambling studies will find this an original and useful text for understanding the cultural and political work of gambling industries in liberal societies.

Casino Management in Integrated Resorts introduces students to the changing nature of casino businesses within the framework of an integrated resort or hospitality organisation. In the new integrated casino model, casinos play an important role not only in revenue generation but in supporting the other amenities in the resort, including bars, restaurants, hotels and theme parks. This book brings readers up to speed with the challenges of managing a casino within this rapidly expanding gaming–leisure–tourism industry. It covers a range of essential topics, such as the basic psychology of casino gaming, the role and history of casinos within an integrated resort, staffing, floor design, table and slot game management, control and security, marketing and social impact. Written in an accessible style, this book is suitable for readers with no prior knowledge of, or experience in, casino operations. It will be an essential introductory yet comprehensive resource for all those undertaking casino management courses.

This book provides you with the knowledge needed to overcome gambling addiction, which is the “most insidious and baffling” disease according to Gamblers Anonymous. The book draws on the author’s 20 years of gambling addiction, the trials and tribulations of users from a self-help community started in 2003 (GamblingHelper.com), and the latest scientific findings. The book discusses the symptoms, triggers, and causes of gambling addiction from the perspectives of biology, psychology, environment, economics, and spirituality. The book includes solutions to overcome the disease based on the most current research. The Gamblers Anonymous program was founded in 1957 and is based on Alcoholics Anonymous, which was founded in 1935. New and important findings on compulsive gambling have been found since that time. This book discusses these new findings. Gambling addiction can be overcome and this book shows you how.