In my opinion gambling is so appealing because of the opportunity to get something for nothing. The opportunity for a person to sit down at a machine for example, put a $20 bill into that machine, and walk away from said machine with more than a $20 bill for simply pushing buttons. This is what we all hope for, but how stupid does that sound when you read it? Pretty stupid, right? Oh, but wait. That machine flashes and makes dinging sounds at you and someone walks around and asks you if you would like anything to drink, so the whole process is entertaining, right? I almost forgot about the entire process being "entertaining".

That's the excuse we all use. I used to use the "entertaining" excuse to why I gambled. The entertaining excuse and the free drinks' excuse. The free drinks are a good one. I used to say, "Yea, I may not win any money, but I get free drinks." Now that I don't drink or gamble anymore that excuse sounds so stupid it's almost unimaginable! But the fact remains, that I used to say exactly that. Of course, when you actually think about it the drinks are anything but free, but when we want to gamble, we will convince ourselves of almost anything.

This is another big appeal of gambling. Not dealing with reality and the truth. When you're gambling you're doing anything but dealing with what's true. Because what's true are all of the things mentioned above and the simple fact that gambling is a complete waste of money. That's the truth that many people don't want to deal with all in the name of flashing lights, noises, and free drinks.

The bottom line is that gambling is so appealing because of the promise of something for nothing. Too many people want to receive something for nothing. The good news is that you can break this cycle if you just try. I think Marcus Aurelia's said it best when he reminded us, "Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear.". You can overcome anything that you think you need to. By the way, do you remember what your mother told you years ago? "You can't get something for nothing." This my friends, is the truth.

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