Yet, not every group gambles equally often, demographically. Protestants seem less likely to gamble than Catholics. Culture plays a role, and demographics affect the choice gambling venue method. (Griffiths & Delfabbro, 2002) Yet when new forms of gambling are introduced, there is an overall increase in gambling. The method of gambling may also influence the likelihood of abuse. Continuous activities are more likely to be associated with gambling problems. The perception, if not the actual probability of earning an easy reward, creates a faulty system of thinking in all subjects. Regular gamblers tend to score higher on measures of sensation seeking than controls and problem gamblers engage in a very limited range of activities -- does the impulse control and limited life result or cause the behaviour?

There are also different gambling 'types.' The first type may be addicted to gambling itself for excitement. The other uses a gambling subculture to escape from other problems in his or her life. (Griffiths & Delfabbro, 2002) There are also controlled and uncontrolled gamblers who attempt to regulate their addictions. (Blaszczynski, 2003)

Conclusion

If problem gambling can occur with a greater likelihood because of a biological or cultural 'tendency' towards reward-seeking behavior or cultural validation for gambling, this does not mean that the psychological techniques, such as rational or critical thinking exercises would prove ineffective, nor reducing the availability of high-stimulus gambling that seems to exacerbate the behavior's addictive potential in all individuals. Hence the variety of a holistic model -- gambling...

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Blaszczynski, Alex. (2003). " Pathways to Pathological Gambling: Identifying Typologies." Journal of Gambling Issues. Available at:

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Dickson- Swift, V.A., James, E.L., & Kippen, S. (March 2005) "The experience of living with a problem gambler: Spouses and children speak out." Journal of Gambling Issues. Available at:

http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue13/jgi_13_dicksonSwift.html

Griffiths M. & Delfabbro, P. (2002, October). "The bio-psychosocial approach to gambling: Contextual factors in research and clinical interventions." The Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues: eGambling. Available at:

http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue5/feature/index.html

McMillen, Jan. (2004) "VLTs: Lessons from Australia." Centre for Gambling Research. Available at:

http://www.fhi.se/upload/PDF/2004/seminarier/OHmillen0409_lessonsfarg.pdf