I was in argument with someone. His view is that people who gamble are those that what they have is not sufficient for them and so they try to make more money from gambling. He said if you have sufficient money to take care of your needs that you won't think of gambling. He made reference to some rich people, who don't gamble because they have sufficient money to even gift to charity but that those rich who still gamble are only addicted to it not just because of the money. Therefore, that the percentage of the rich gambling is very small compared to those in middle class and lower class.
So my question is, is the percentage of the rich gambling lower than the middle and lower class?
I've read on some articles that rich people do gamble but only a few people could match their bets so only a few of them play.
In my experience I only play when I feel like I can double my extra money. I always set limits and only play when I have extra since I can't afford to lose everything, best to play it safe.
Well, I don't know many rich so I can't tell what they do or not, like Gozie51's friend... but I don't think there is a big difference between rich and poor. If we talked about alcohol, maybe the poor drinks cheap beer and the rich expensive spirits, and in gambling I think it's the same somehow: the poor will play slots, and the rich participate in high stake events, so the thrill is similar based on their wealth.
Anyway, he may be right when he says that those who gamble because they don't have sufficient money wouldn't do it if they became rich, but I don't believe that we can generalise and it seems to me more the exception than the rule. So what do you think?