The addictive potential is the hope that makes us think that we can make big wins. Added on top are the tempting advertisements of jackpots and big wins. We all have an inner child who is devoid of logic and reasoning and it gets stimulated by these things making us play that game more. If anybody who is a gambler would have used their logic properly they would have stopped gambling. 
I really like your logic when it comes to gambling. I like that inner child thing and the addictive potential hope that we have. Many gamblers will be affected in this statement if they read your post. Including me lol.