Five states require a telephone number for help for problem gamblers be printed on its lottery tickets National Gambling Impact, Are the risks too high and are the choices made when gambling beneficial for the greatest number affected versus profitability for the state lotteries, businesses who manufacture goods and services for. A pathological gambler is one who has a severe uncontrollable urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to. Gambling in professional sports is an ethical dilemma that needs to be examined from all angles before making a decision on whether to bet or not.