I know plenty of them. Being financially independent is no barrier to wanting to get richer, or playing for fun or even compulsive gambling.
My perspective comes from knowing quite a few people who would easily be considered at least financially well off and still play for the fun of it, and from being the daughter of a financially independent, compulsive gambler. My dad doesn't blame the state or the casino or the track for somehow forcing him to bet. He knows it's his own weakness, but figures since it's his only vice, what the heck. It isn't hurting anyone but him (occasionally)
It's no one's job to tell him what is good for him and what isn't.
But people who have become financially independent know more than anybody else that the state lottery is a fool's game and not a valid way to increase one's wealth. As I said before, there is nothing "fun" about picking six numbers out of 30 at odds of millions to one. If one is a compulsive gambler, one would choose to go to Las Vegas where the odds are considerably better (and the games more fun).
It's no one's job to tell him what is good for him and what isn't.
I agree. If you read my earlier posts, you would see that I couldn't care less if there was a casino on every street corner. My beef is with the government running a monopolized gambling operation, playing "bookie" to their citizens, while making gambling illegal for everybody else. I do not think the proper role of government is to run a lottery. I believe gambling should be legalized.