Abstract
In 1968 an editorial in the British Medical Journal rejected the view that compulsive or pathological gambling should be included under the rubric of illness. Exactly 20 years later an invited paper to the same journal noted that the problem was an addictive behaviour or dependency disorder and listed the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria. The following review critically evaluates some of the key conceptual and research developments during the intervening period.
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Notes on contributors
Mark Dickerson
Both authors formerly Public Health Officers, Eastern Sydney Area Public Health Unit
Previously general practitioner, Orange NSW, Australia.