Betting the farm can actually be a serious problem for some people. Compulsive and habitual gambling can destroy people's lives. They may suffer personal problems and financial ruin, with problem gambling sometimes leading to a life of crime. A compulsive, or pathological, gambler is someone who is unable to resist their impulses. This can lead to severe consequences. The urge to gamble becomes so great that tension can only be relieved by gambling more and more.