~snip~
I think both gambling and drinking exist in the world of addiction. Just as an addict cannot stop drinking, an addicted gambler takes a long time to stop gambling because they reach a point where they lose their control. Gambling addiction can seriously affect all areas of life consequences of problem gambling include financial loss and bankruptcy. Professional gamblers have fewer negative effects because they avoid temptation.
The term professional simply means that you get paid for what you are doing. Otherwise it's a hobby.
So, a professional gambler is extremely rare. Only a handful of people have actually won money against the casino overall, once you count all the costs.
It's extremely rare, but it can happen.
Now, a lot of people just call themselves professional gamblers, but I think that's just part of the addiction.
Very different and strange take on this topic but it feels like undeniable truth that someone should be making money to be counted true professional. Otherwise its just hobby lol. I saw no video gamers claiming they are professional unless they join as team, find a sponsor, get wage, win contest etc so on. At the point where a gambler can generate money through he can be called pro. I think we may count sponsorships too - gambler doesn't need to be always making money only through gambling he is mastering.