Cash Out

Gambling is truly a horrible addiction.  It's ended many a life; both figuratively and literally.  You've succinctly captured that. Very nice form and rhyme you have going on, Northern.

It sure is a brutal addiction.  My inspiration for the poem is a guy i rented a sofa from in Sweden.  We were both addicts, he on gambling of all sorts, me on Cannabis which i spent most of my money on.

This guy is at genius level smart, a chess player of over 2000 Elo points but one evening when he triumphantly announced to me that he had figured out the roulette table, i became genuinely afraid of him.  We had literally nothing to eat and three days to go to payday but off he marched with his last cash to the casino to make good our week.  Of course he lost, he couldn't even pay out his overcoat from the coat rack, i had to get it for him a few days later because he was so ashamed.

You win in life not by gambling for it
Contentment in what one has is the way to happiness

You've got it.  Contentment and gratitude might i add

Awwww. Not a happy ending. Twlight Zonish.

Easy come, hard go.  Yep, gambling addicts have scary bizarre thought patterns, glad i was able to convey that air

Which is why, more then any other public place, casinos have more defibrillators placed in handy strategic places.
❤ 🎰 Seriously, I'm not making this up.

i believe you man, those are unhealthy places.

Thanks for dropping by Snugglebuck :-)

Attention is paid to the addictions faced by the largest amount of people however if one looks they are all around. Getting back to gambling I think it interesting that many states encourage wagers that help fund state government, puts ads on tv and then talk about the dangers of the compulsive behavior.

That's done here too, among other recipients is the local rehab center.  Induce problem with one hand to address it with the other.

Thanks for the comment JAZZMANOR