Is gambling addictive or is money addicting?

Answer 1

An interesting question. The answer, in a way, is "both."

Gambling is addictive because of two things. First is the principle of intermittent reward. If we win all the time, oddly enough we are not as motivated to keep coming back. When, however, we have to work for what we want and occasionally -- without knowing exactly when -- we hit the jackpot, it gives us a big thrill. There is also the adrenaline rush and excitement that goes with waiting for that one right card, the ball to stop, the dice to hit the wall and stop rolling. Even losing has those things to offer. That brings us to number two:

The thrill of playing, and especially of winning, is caused by the release of chemicals that make us feel happy, powerful and -- well -- really good. That is the part that creates the addiction. Combined with the intermittent reward, it makes gambling the number one addiction after alcohol -- and, as we all know, the two go together nicely.

You can see how this works into the idea of being addicted to money. For some people, who have long since gotten all the money they could possibly need, making more is a means of validation and a way to keep score in the game of life. Others, who perhaps came from poverty, are unable to tell when they have enough. They have that compulsion to keep hiding acorns, because you never...can...tell. Such people, who never feel entirely secure in themselves and their lives, look at money as providing the security -- filling the empty place -- that keeps them apprehensive. Some of these, also, may buy into the scorekeeping game.