Gambling serves no social function, largely. If you're down the pub every day at least you're getting out, and talking to people. Sure it'll eventually kill you but the people are real, the conviviality is real, the connection is real. It's why so many people are against fellas knocking back cans at home, alone (although this is changing with the likes of Discord, and voice chats with pals around the world.)
If you're going to the races and getting out with a gang of people it's one thing. If you're staring at a TV getting hotheaded that a faller brought your horse down, tearing up betting slips, or worse, doubling down and chasing losses with ever increasing bets on hunches and "tips" through an app you're not really getting anything out of it. You're certainly not getting rich if that's your approach.
Shur, didn't we already have some fucking moron in the thread take the piss for someone betting less than twenty quid. What bullshit! Fucking weirdo masculine bravado in the face of someone managing their finances and gambling responsibly, as is proper, and can be enjoyable. That kind of talk is manna to Paddy Power, who are far from living in a desert and in need of more money.
