One of the reasons why the negatives far outweigh the positives is because bookmakers create casinos not to feed gamblers for free but their goal is to profit from gamblers who like to go overboard in acting out of control by providing a temptation through the opportunities provided which is basically nothing more than a trap for gamblers to come back soon. As evidence, we can see that many are now suffering from large losses and that means we can conclude that they are trapped by something that has been designed by the casino.
The events that they experience, especially those experienced by addicts, can actually be used as examples and lessons so that we do not overdo it, and as you said it is better to gamble normally, meaning by putting small money that you can afford to lose, because usually disappointment from results that do not match the wishes that can make you act out of control, so it will be very useful for a preventive measure.
I do think that real life casinos and slots have actually an extra positive side compared to online ones.
You can get free drinks and food from those places as long as you are playing. So, if you don't bet too much, you might end up with a free meal, as long as you don't gamble more than the cost of said meal.
But even if you just break even, you still have a small chance to win something, so it is an interesting proposition.
Whereas online, you don't get any freebies like drinks or food. Or things like toilet access, music, electricity, wifi, etc. It could be sometimes a good spot if you need to wait for a bit.
I didn't know real casinos give you free food and beverages if you're playing there
but makes sense, specially for alcohol which will make your impulse control a bit worse and probably will make you prone to bet more and be a bit more careless.
oh, yes, I totally understand it's better not to gamble if you're under the effect of alcohol
that's why I though it'd be something the casinos would be doing, it's on their business model to make you spend
but you're right, maybe they're not as evil as I though hahaha