Some people escape from the reality by doing different things but they don't want to admitted that. They feels that they can not hold their emotion if they doing that thing so they decide to escape from that thing by doing other activities that can makes them forget their routine activities. Maybe that is what people did by escaping themselves in gambling so they use the word "escape" to describe their situation. But people should know that when they escape or run away from the problems, that will not solve the problem instead will gives more problems. So they must back to the problem and trying to solve it before they do other activities.
Yes, it can be that way, no doubt, but it must also be emphasized that things are very good, you will say how they are, for example, I am a person who knows how to play slots, I feel relaxed because the music or the adrenaline of playing and almost winning is something that I like, it excites me, however this is something that not everyone sees that way, for me it can be an escape, it's like going to see my country's team at the stadium, however even though it is an escape, it has to be done responsibly, we cannot lose control because in the end we lose money.
You are actually right and i think this depend on individual but have you ask yourself or wonder what it will look like if you are not making profit or winning a slot game or have you ever wonder what will be your reaction or your state if you do not win in a slot game even though you are good at it? however, i think the only reason you feel good and excited is because you are making something out of it and it is physically impossible to feel bad whenever you are winning or making profit and off course you will be relieved. whenever someone, a gambler to be precise is making loss it is always very hard to control themselves and almost everything will be irritating and annoying them.