One of my neighbours, a million years ago, was obviously addict to the slot machines. He would spend hours spinning in a nearby bar (these machines are allowed in bars in my country of origin) and my take is that he would spend a fortune on it. Once, I passed by and I overheard him saying "I am going to teach this machine who is in charge". It sounded like he was attributing some short of conscience and life to the machine and though he could "beat it". I have observed that many people that gamble are into that type of thinking, that is, it is me against this code and this machine and I can actually break the code and win.
I personally do not play slots, but do you think that is why people like slot machines? Short of breaking their code?
It's an addiction like most other forms of gambling. Why do people play the lottery le scratch offs. Same terrible probability of winning. But there is always that dollar and a dream thought, where you can win big. Will someone, yes. Will nearly everyone else bankrupt, yep. Addiction and "the dream".