It's so disheartening on how some gamblers tend to gamble irresistibly knowing their chances of winning is limited, I think that's one signs of being addicted. Moreso gambling is set aside for entertainment purposes and when you expect too much from it than what it is, you end up being stucked and have yourself to balme.
We gamble with the hope that we can win something, not because we believe that we can win or because we know we can't also win, but because it's all a game of probability. It's someone who gambles out of desperation, overconfidence, and too much confidence and stakes high that shows some kind of addiction because someone who is in control should be able to know that there is no guarantee for return with the money you have already staked, talk more of the potential winning amount.
And one way I personally have learnt to deal with gambling is to first consider the money I've budgeted or set aside for gambling lost, this practice over the years have helped me to deal with gambling loses better, coupled with the fact that I try as much as possible not to gamble always knowing fully well that winning is not and is never a guarantee, I first make sure to spend money on very important things first and from the remaining, I put out an amount for gambling if it's something I really feel like doing at that time.
So, like you said, knowing fully well that there is no guarantee that or of we getting back the money we already have staked on gambling, helps us to stay fully in control of our spending on gambling, only addicted gamblers spend money on gambling recklessly without proper calculation and first ensuring that their spending on gambling does not put them in difficult financial situation.