Money is a key factor in the attractiveness of gambling as an entertainment medium, as it is a critical factor in gambling related problems. Without money being the critical element of gambling, players would be able to achieve the same experience playing casino and pokie style games on one of the various video game platforms or even their home computer without the risk of losing a cent. However most gamblers would not be satisified by this type of gaming.

This leads me to the conclusion that money must be a (and possibly the) key to the attractiveness of gambling.

Money is also at the centre of all activities to do with gambling. Whilst many gamblers gamble for fun, most gamblers will say its ‘more’ fun if they win. The behaviour of gamblers usually is dictated by the pursuit of money and other things often blur into the background (such as life in general). Also when many gamblers finally acknowledge that they may have a gambling problem, it is more likely to be due to the fact they cannot afford to keep chasing the big win that will 'solve all their problems'.

Another overlooked issue is that the gambling industry exists to earn money for operators, venues and governments. This is the sole reason why legalised gambling exists. If there was not a perceived need for revenue from gambling, we simply would not have legalised gambling.

Also from this reasoning we could hypothesise that some of the activities to earn revenue for venues and operators, and also their resistance to changes that would reduce the risk of problem gambling, in fact are key contributors to the occurence of gambling problems.

Underlying issues are present in people with gambling problems, but they are also present in a range of other psychological and social problems. However what makes these people gravitate towards gambling as an outlet and more susceptible to problems whilst gambling? I believe it is money.