The precise reason that gambling can become addictive on a
biological level is disputed. However, there seems to be a positive
trend between gambling addiction and a particular set of genetic
markers: the DRD2 gene, which is responsible for encoding the
dopamine receptor d2, has been convincingly linked to gambling
addiction.
Dopamine receptors are implicated in many neurological
processes, including cognition, motivation and pleasure. It has
been found that drugs which inhibit dopamine receptors can reduce
compulsive or addictive behavior in afflicted individuals.
The up-shot of all this sciency stuff is that gambling releases
chemicals that make you happy - this is what ultimately becomes
addictive, not the act of gambling itself. People who describe
'gambling problems' are not necessarily addicts; a gambling problem
just means gambling too much money.
A genuine addiction is a chemical and psychological pathology
with particular medical characteristics. Not everyone has the
capacity to easily become a gambling addict, while others will
become addicted following very limited exposure.
SOURCE:
http://www.rightcasino.com/news/mark-griffiths-gambling-addiction/