Could be in any context. I do it a little on UFC fights but that’s a relatively low amount and I can afford I to lose any time I do. It seems like it’s becoming a really wide spread problem though, at least in the US. At the same time I don’t see why it should be illegal. Granted I also don’t think any drug should be illegal.
I don’t think it should be illegal either, but there should defiantly be limits and protections in place so people don’t piss away their life savings over a slot machine.
Often people in difficult finical situations are the most addicted to gambling or playing the lotto because they are manipulated with hopes of a life changing big payout.
One simple idea to help, have a seperate bank account. You get a special “gamble debit card” that you can deposit up to 5% of your earnings from the previous year. Any kind of gambling can only accept this card - including food/drink at the facility. Winnings can be cashed out or used to refill the card.
Even if this isn’t a regulated thing, people can do this on their own - leave all the main cards at home and make sure you can’t transfer money to your debit without physically going to a bank.