I consider that when things get out of control they will never be a hobby or anything fun , Especially because what is lost is money and that is already something delicate, therefore when we decide to do things right we must have great money management so as not to lose it completely, fun at the casino can depend on ourselves, we can play once or twice a Week , but we should still make reasonable bets and not something that harms us, if we play every day the most probable thing is that we will have an impressive money leak, then it is not something profitable , I would not say that it is a hobby, I would define it as adult fun.
Even if the hobby turns addictive, it still doesn't stop the fact that it's a hobby, it only stops been a hobby when we no longer do it for leisure or fun but for the sole purpose of making money, at that point it's no longer a hobby but an extra job for an extra income, also known as a job on the side. Even with an addictive habit, a hobby remains one only that at they point, it may be gradually turning into a harmful practice that may have some negative effects on the gambler and in the long run becomes a problem for those who are around him too aswell.
Initially gambling is a hobby but eventually it becomes an addiction when it involves money. You may indulge in gambling here outside of your normal activities but soon it starts causing you harm and the bad effects can spread from family to people around you. You can call an activity a hobby only when no money is involved. Gambling can be taken as a hobby when you can keep it within yourself but if it affects the lifestyle of those around you in a negative way then it is at the addiction stage.