Well like most things that are addictive (yet not "chemically" addictive), the people don't technically become addicted to it but rather become addicted to chemicals that the action triggers in their brain.

For example... a common term is "adrenaline junkie." Somebody who's addicted to skydiving, rock-climbing, high speeds, etc, is actually addicted to the adrenaline the actions trigger.

I don't really study this very much so I couldn't name specific chemicals, but the rush these people get on the rare occasion that they do win, is what becomes the primary addictive agent.

Or if you want it to be simpler than that, they are just stupid people who don't realize that they will inevitably end up losing money by gambling habitually.

Legionnaire

Australia4514 Posts

August 27 2003 06:04 GMT

everyone wants something for nothing with gambling you can put down almost nothing and gain heaps in almost no time. of course it doesn't work like this but for some it does, thus ppl play. the high of winning is great and the next BIG win might be the next time you try so they keep going and going, and you can't give up now as you've wasted so much money and its the next one... NO the next one!.. that guys eyeing my machine he wants me to leave, and as soon as i do he will win.. must... keep... playing...

its also called lack of self control plus a splash of stupidity in no particular order.

Smorrie

Netherlands2922 Posts

August 27 2003 06:20 GMT

ppl lose so much money to it that they want to regain their money~~ so they keep playing

Strafe[iR]

Netherlands266 Posts

August 27 2003 11:06 GMT

For me gambling is just fun

Hell I even won a dollar last time

NoName

United States1558 Posts

August 27 2003 11:08 GMT

I don't find it addictive. I gamble. I lose money. I get mad at the world, especially the casino that stole my money.

Think that way, and gambling isn't adictive.

TeCh)PsylO

United States3552 Posts

August 27 2003 11:09 GMT

i think people have illusions about winning ratios. like if there is a 1/100 chance of u winning, that probability will remain everyturn, rather than decreasing, and ultimitly enhancing your chance of winning.

GengisKhan(PCP)

Denmark62 Posts

August 27 2003 11:25 GMT

Neurotransmitter chemicals released in gambling activities also include: Dopamin(this is the main chemical which is released upon influence from amphetamines, cocaine), Serotonin. These chemicals works by making the neurons able to "communicate" with each other and that is externally described as happiness, a rush, a joy etc.

Liquid`Spy

Netherlands1301 Posts

August 27 2003 13:18 GMT

Shockey

United States2615 Posts

August 27 2003 14:29 GMT

#10

its quite a rush to be throwing down lots of money on something so simple with the odds so stacked against you. i can see why it's addicting.

bASesinAtOR

Bhutan1295 Posts

August 27 2003 14:35 GMT

#11

On August 27 2003 23:29 Shockey wrote:
its quite a rush to be throwing down lots of money on something so simple with the odds so stacked against you. i can see why it's addicting.

so true

Strafe[iR]

Netherlands266 Posts

August 27 2003 14:39 GMT

#12

cuz you might have luck;)

which i almost never have!

SoLaR[i.C]

United States2969 Posts

August 27 2003 18:50 GMT

#13

You wanna know why gambling is addictive? Here's your answer $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ >

Bill307

Canada9103 Posts

August 27 2003 19:26 GMT

#14

On August 27 2003 20:09 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
i think people have illusions about winning ratios. like if there is a 1/100 chance of u winning, that probability will remain everyturn, rather than decreasing, and ultimitly enhancing your chance of winning.

Yeah, a lot of people are like that. I think that people are generally inept at properly interpreting statistics and probability because aside from the simplest of situations, these aspects of math are often contrary to what people learn as "common sense".

For instance, many people would think that if you have a 10% chance of winning something, then "logically" if you try 10 times, then (10 * 1/10) = 100% chance and therefore you will definitely win. In reality, however, that's not the case at all: the probability of winning after 10 tries would only be (1 - 9^10/10^10) = 65%, which is considerably far away from 100%.

Edit: Lol, I've asked several people (two pretty smart, one "average intelligence") on MSN this question already. I asked "If I'm playing a game, and I have a 1 in 10 chance of winning, then how many times to I have to play the game in order to guarantee at least one win?
". Of the two pretty smart people (who were also told to go by their first reaction, to see what their "common sense" told them), one answered "infinite" (correct) while the other guessed 19, 10 and 11.

The average intelligence person said that "statistically, you should only have to play it ten times, but in reality you may never win." (since when is probability different from reality? lol) Then, after questioning my answer of 65%, and several lessons in probability, he finally concluded that I phrased my question wrong: I should have said that "Each time you ONLY have a 10% chance". Hehe, okay, I should stop making fun of average people now

. So yeah, as you can see, some people (most, probably) have very wrong misconceptions of how statistics and probability work. Try asking other people that question yourself and see what kinds of responses you get if you don't believe me

CruSh

United States12 Posts

August 27 2003 19:37 GMT

#15

i havent read any other posts except the 1st one, but gambling is fun, its cool to live dangerously =]