Action Gamblers

Action gamblers often exhibit an air of confidence, sociability and generosity. They can have a gregarious and outgoing nature. However, they are also assertive and can sometimes show domineering, controlling or manipulative traits. Key attributes associated with this type of gambler include:

• attracted to action games of chance (poker, craps, horse racing, and sports betting)

• risk-taking, a sense of thrill

• self-identity as a skilled competitor with high paying wins

• think they can beat the odds in gambling 

• often, an early big win and childhood experiences in gambling (commonly sports betting and card playing) are cited

• usually male but a growing number of action gamblers are female 

Action gamblers typically experience the progressive phases of compulsive gambling over a ten- to thirty-year length of time. Finally, in desperation, action gamblers may gamble simply to escape in order to ease the pain of their personal destructiveness.  They may do so by gambling at slot machines, especially video poker machines.