Gambling-The addiction

''Risking money or valuables in hopes of winning more than you're risking is gambling. Calling it a "friendly bet," or a "gentleman's bet," or saying "We're just making the game a little more interesting" does not alter the fact that it is still gambling.''

I think that gambling is definately an addiction, but at the same time I think that it can be excused because of no physical signs.

''Most all of us have sat around and fantasized about what we would do if we won the lottery or hit it big in Las Vegas. But for most of us, these fantasies remain fantasies. Perhaps we buy an occasional lottery ticket, but that's about it. And some people can gamble occasionally without it affecting their lives seriously.''

Addiction to gambling can be a very difficult one to beat, with casinos being built in most cities, you would find it hard to pass by in case of relapse. With more and more gambling sites set up online and on television, the dangers are there. I think the government did the correct thing in denying the massive casinos to be built around the country, as we have enough already.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/gambling/gamb.html