Mark Erickson is no stranger to problem gambling. "People compare it to cocaine addiction, and that's the euphoria I felt," he says, referring to the compulsive habits that left him $400,000 in debt and contemplating suicide. "It becomes an all-consuming activity. Win or lose, it didn't matter to me."

Erickson, an accountant from Phoenix, first began sports betting over the internet as a hobby. But as the debt began to mount up, Erickson turned to stealing from clients in order to support his habit. Eventually he was apprehended by police in Mexico and was charged with theft. After serving one year in prison, Erickson now works for a compulsive gambling hotline where he attempts to help those suffering from similar problems. To date he has refrained from gambling for four years and says the support of his family and a serious rehabilitation program has helped him to kick the habit.

According to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Erickson's case is a typical one. Executive director Ed Looney points out that the consequences of the illness are just as damaging as those of drug and alcohol addiction. "It's a devastating illness. If it’s not treated it will end up that the person's whole lifestyle will be affected," says Looney.

Looney points to the growing popularity of internet gambling as a factor responsible for over six million reported cases of gambling addiction in the U.S. The numbers are increasing mainly among young people keen to experience the online poker craze sweeping the nation. Looney also cites sports betting as a particularly dangerous phenomenon for problem gamblers. "It's American, like apple pie. People love to bet on their football games," he says.

However both Erickson and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey are quick to advise that treatment for gambling addiction is readily available from a variety of organizations. And according to Erickson, the benefits associated with kicking the habit far outweigh the financial highs and lows. "The sharing of experiences with friends, family, these are things that I avoided my whole life," says Erickson. "Today I cherish them."

Back to January 2006 Online Gambling News
Back to latest Online Gambling News
Back to Online Gambling Archive