There are many forms of gambling and many types of gamblers. Our assessment and psychological profiles help to determine which treatments and programs will best suit the individual. Many times a person will fit neatly into one of the general categories below. Most often, however, a person will present a combination of these general categories.

Action Gambler

The typical "action gambler" is interested in games that require some skill. They are highly competitive individuals who often have had sports backgrounds. Their gambling histories generally start in adolescence, through the college years and into adulthood. Their gambling choices may include sports betting, casino card or dice games, racetrack or OTB locations.

Escape Gambler

The escape compulsive gamblers typically play games that do not require high levels of skills or knowledge such as handicapping. They tend to choose games such as slot machines, video poker, cherry masters, bingo, and keno, pull tabs, etc. The escape gambler may go into a "trance like" state and spends extensive amounts of time "lost" in their gambling.

Internet Gambler

The action of placing wagers through on line sources while enjoying the privacy of one's own PC defines the process of Internet gambling. This type of gambling also affords 24- hour availability for gambling activity. The gambler is able to conceal activity from family members who may not even be aware of a problem. Internet gambling contributes to loss of work productivity, extended amounts of time spent on line and the potential for extensive financial losses.

Stock Market Gambler

The high-risk behavior associated with compulsive gambling is not unlike placing wagers in a casino type setting. Impulsive day trading and "playing" the market that results in financial and emotional distress to the gambler and the family can also be classified as the impulse disorder of compulsive gambling.