I haven't gambled in a long time and I didn't gamble much, but I've a few poker tournaments where I almost always got second place which was no prize.

I don't care if people gamble but really the thing is to, like others have said, set an amount that you can afford and don't go over that. My idiot of an ex once bet the rent money at a casino because his friend got him pumped up telling him he would win double. Casino's don't make money off of paying people. If you have extra money and you enjoy it then good for you and have fun. If you don't have the money it might be something to hold off on until you do.