If you carefully read my post, then you may find that I have nothing in my mind against recreational gambling (using small amounts such as $10). I am also a recreational gambler for most part and I also treat it like a pastime. What I was saying was that in case you are betting large amounts, then you need to do a lot of research and planning.
Ops, I've been blind with the close and open parenthesis you had put to your post. Pardon me. But you are right! It may be a pass time once you just wasting small amount of your money. Wasting your whole salary is not a joke anymore, it is an addiction.