Betting money you need for something else.
Being able to place a bet is different from being able to afford the loss.
The balance in your account doesn’t tell the app which dollars are for rent, food, tuition, or a plan you care about. Money can be available to deposit and already spoken for.
“I’ll put it back when I win” depends on a result you don’t control. If the bet loses, you still have to replace the money. That can turn the next bet into an attempt to solve a problem created by the last one.
The same $100 bet can mean very different things to two people, or to the same person in different months.
Affordability has to include the outcome where the whole stake is lost. A likely win doesn’t make money you need expendable.
Sources & further reading
- Recognizing gambling problems
National Council on Problem Gambling. General guidance on chasing, increasing stakes, loss of control, and harms beyond money.
- Help for problems with gambling
NHS. Signs of harm and practical ways to get support. Its listed services are primarily UK-based.
Examples on this page are illustrative.