Gambling captivate so many people, and it has to attain to the level drugs. This hobby is not only ruining the man and his family, but also psychologically traumatic for the player.
That is where the difference between a hobby and a problem are. If the hobby is ruining the mans life as he/she knows it, then it is an addiction and should not be touched. You can no call an addiction a hobby and you need to know the difference between the two! For some people it is hard to tell the difference.
Gambling could be a hobby but it is an expensive hobby as most of the time we loses. But if you can manage your loses you will gain more happiness compared to the amount you spend.