Compulsive gambling is a progressive behavior disorder, in which an individual has a psychologically uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of which is the loss of time and money. Eventually, the gambling compromises, disrupts, or destroys the gambler's personal life, family relationships, or vocational pursuits. These problems lead to intensification of the gambling behavior. The compulsive gambler experiences emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control, and interference with normal functioning.