Many but not all gamblers are claiming they gamble for fun and pass time. I was just thinking. If it is the reason why people gamble then why not play online games? There is a lot of good and challenging onlne games wherein you can interact with other people online?
The excitement of winning in gambling is different because it involves money and we all know that we all need money. People gamble because they want to double or triple their money even though they are aware of the risk they are taking.
Simple and plain truth and which is what the OP is apparently driving at. Only the wise or smart ones really use the fun part to put themselves back in control, with the mindset of, well, let's have the fun and get out. If we win, well and fine, if we do not, well and fine.
Most of the people who have been saying they are gambling for fun, how many of them have ever gambled without considering for once that they wish they could just win? The only good thing is if you put yourself in control of your impulse, then if you are going astray, you will be able to call yourself back to reality.