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Why Do Some People Gamble?

So why do some people gamble? There are those who will say that everything in the life is a gamble. They like to point out the sheer random nature of misfortune, of those poor people living in an earthquake zone, those run down on the zebra crossing or those falling to diseases beyond their control. They always, rather irritatingly add, "No risk, no reward!" And for some reason they always seem to have a punchable face as well.

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Introduction: Why do People Gamble?

On the whole, the guys who ask this question are not gamblers themselves. And the reasoning behind the question leads to a more complete question, which is, “why do people gamble when they lose most of the time?” Some of the answers will be obvious whilst others might be a bit more convoluted. Never the less, let’s have a dive into the many and varied reasons that make gambling attractive to some folks and not to others.

Over time there has been any number of surveys which have asked this very same question. And the answers all point to a range of motivating factors. Also, keep in mind that some people choose to gamble much more than others. There’s a huge difference between your average guy taking a punt on the weekend on a game of football or a horse, than another who goes to the casino every night. Also, if we travel the world, then we’ll come up against cultural differences. And finally, we have the problem gambler. The guy who’s addicted.

The Reasons People Some Gamble

We can probably break the answer down to three subgroups; to escape your troubles, to entertain yourself, and to socialize. of course, there are a million and one other reasons that are dependent on individual personality and an overall approach towards gaming and gambling. For example, you can breakdown the differences between male and female gamblers with the simple assumption that women prefer games of chance, whereas guys prefer games of skill. Hence in most casinos and live online jackpot sites, you’ll find women playing the slots and the guys at the game stables. It’s interesting to note that your guy sat at the poker table will ignore chance, even though it does play a part in his fortunes, especially in the short term.

And a guy playing on the slot machines will move from one to the next if he’s not winning. This is creating the illusion of control, as these machines function on nothing but chance.

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Some People Gamble Because They Can’t Help Themselves Anymore

For those people who are close to those suffering from a gambling problem, it’s always completely baffling how they can simply continue playing when their world is collapsing around them. They see first hand the sheer misery that an addiction can cause. So why not just quit and find happiness. well, for the same reasons that an alcoholic or a junkie doesn’t quit. The ability to find self-control is gone. It’s really a mental obsession that stops them from being logical. And they’ll just keep going until all the money is gone. Even those gamblers who are far from being addicted, still get that feeling when they’re trying to win big. They “feel” they’re close to winning. In truth, for the problem gambler, it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about anticipation and having money in “action”.

If you think of most types of gambling, the player is really placing “negative expectation” bets. Or if you’re in the casino then you’re facing the house edge. And for the sports bettor, then there’s the vig. And if you’re playing poker then there’s the rake. On top of this, there’s always the temptation to go chase your losses. None of it can end well.

The Thrill of Taking Risks

If you like the thrill of the roller coaster or throwing yourself out of an airplane then gambling may have some appeal for you. Especially if you find the idea and experience of risk to be a stimulant. But those pastimes and hobbies don’t end up costing you the same type of spending that comes with gambling. Stand beside by any casino game, table, or roulette wheel and you’ll quickly see those thrill-seekers who are betting way above their means. It’s a thrill to play with money you can’t afford to lose. Imagine the take up if you offered blackjack prizes to be the size of just a few cents. There would be no takers. Players would be asking where’s the money?

Money Won Is Twice as Sweet as Money Earned

This is a phrase from the movie, “The Color of Money”. And for the gambler, it rings true. It’s a weird sort of difference. $100 won at the games table or from working your regular job. Perhaps it’s the lack of real effort that means the $100 won from a casino has a greater value that earned with normal hard work. Of course, it’s all a harmless distinction….until you start making dumb decisions based on this. If you’re at the casino to win money, well hey, that’s cool. The main thing s not to go overboard and start spending money that you don’t really have. If you lose $500 at the games table and immediately head out to the cash machine and withdraw another $500 to try to play catch up, then perhaps you should be questioning your life priorities.

Casino Chips Don’t Seem to Have Value

This is all part and parcel of the way casinos play with psychology. It falls under the same heading as having no clocks and no windows. The casino wants you to stay put on the gaming floor for as long as possible. they’ll even bring you drinks and something to eat. But you just gotta keep playing. Having these little colored discs of clay or plastic means that you are mentally that one step further removed from real money. It doesn’t appear to be as valuable and therefore mush easier to risk. After all, it’s a lot easier to throw a chip onto the table than a $100 bill.

Some People Gamble Because They’re Good at It

This is a great reason. After all, there are professional gamblers who are not addicts. They have found a means to ensure that their bets have a positive expected value. An example of this would-be card counters who have a means of turning the house edge on its head over the long term. Likewise, professional sports bettors study all the math before taking that wager. They always talk of value bets. What they really mean is that they never place a bet unless it’s a positive expected value. A professional poker player is an expert at cleaning those pots after getting the best of those other saps sat around the poker table. Of course, it’s quite possible for a professional or an advantage player to develop a habit or addiction. But it’s very rare, as playing well requires huge self-control of your impulses.

Some People Just Gamble Because It’s Fun

Probably the best and the healthiest reason to gamble. Spending on gambling is to use your money in the same way that you would for any other entertainment. You have a social budget and you simply stick to it. On the whole recreational gamblers have the self-control not to go further and fall into addiction.

Conclusion: Why do Some People Gamble?

There are a massive number of reasons as to why some people gamble. Some do it to make a living. Others because it’s a laugh. And sadly, there are others who do it because they can’t help themselves. if you’re reading this and you recognize that you have a gambling problem, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to those that can help you. Gone is the social stigma associated with this addiction. Today it’s rightly treated as a health issue.