Gambling... A hobby or a vice ?

Most people view gambling with fear and they frown upon it.

I enjoy the occasional escapade to play at a casino. I always limit myself to what I can afford to spend, and do not go above that limit. I also usually come out on top.

People tend to think and say that gambling is only a healthy hobby to folks who can afford such an expensive hobby. I don't understand that statement.

When does gambling become a problem ? And why do people frown upon gamblers ? I've seen friends lose $25 K in one night, grab the keys to their Mercedes Maybach, go back home, grab $25 K more comeback and lose them that same night, and then again, that Maybach was won at a gambling competition. I think that is when gambling becomes a problem.

But gambling $200-$300 every other weekend and come back home winning 50% of the time after enjoying an evening of food, drinks, friends and thrills should not be frowned upon. It should be viewed as entertainment. And no, it is not more expensive entertainment than going for dinner and drinks with friends.

Still, I found people frown upon seeing a gambler. So what is the problem with gambling ? Why do most people see it as a vice ? I have even heard that employers don't like gamblers.

For me gambling has helped me overcome boredom and midlife crisis. Boredom at work, coping with society problems, family problems and boredom in general.

I mean, not that you have nothing to do but nothing brings happiness anymore.You want to break out of the daily routine and it seems like life would never surprise you anymore.

I thought that I have spent my life not as I'd like to. I've worked for 30 years and my family never struggled with finances. I began to think about the fact that I never fully enjoyed my youth, always being the prodigy son, the responsible family man, the company executive. Sometimes I even enviously looked at the young people and how they enjoy life and how they have all of it in front of them. At that moment I got most insane ideas about travelling, having an affair (which I didn't), buying a sports car (which I did), etc. In general, I thought of everything that could make me feel younger.

Then I remembered how I used to play cards with friends in my youth. We gambled homework or whatever. Thus I re-discovered an old hobby......

I don’t say that gambling made me rich. No of course not. But it has helped me overcome boredom.

I'm not addicted to gambling as most people may think. I consider my self to be a passive player. The thing is that I spend more time gathering information, checking some strategies and watching gambling channels on YouTube or some other web sites rather than playing. Last time I played was more than a week ago (online).... And two weeks ago at the Harrah's in New Orleans.

That is my view on gambling and my story. Do I consider gambling a hobby ?: yes. Do I consider gambling a vice ?: Only if you abuse it and get sick.