Gambling is a kind of tax: a tax on stupidity. A tax on greed. Some money changes hands at random, but the net cash flow always goes one way - to the Government, to the casino operators, to the bookies, to the crime syndicates. If ever do win, you won't have won against . They'll still be getting their share. You'll have won against all the penniless losers, that's all.
Greg Egan