the gambler betting more and more in an attempt to change his luck.

[keannu]

Is this to be interpreted as "As the gambler bets more and more, much money can be lost" as a cause and effect relationship from backward or "As much money can be lost, the gambler bets more and more..." from the beginning? I'm sorry this might be a logical question about casino betting.

ex)Gambler's ruin" is the situation gamblers face in casinos. Casino games like blackjack, roulette, and slot machines do not offer a 50% chance of winning. In other words, the odds are in the casino's favor. The law of gambler's ruin says that if the gambler plays these games long enough, the casino always wins. The effects of gambler's ruin can be serious. Much money can be lost, the gambler betting more and more in an attempt to change his luck. Responsible gamblers, however, know this and only bet money they can afford to lose. If you go to a casino, remember: faced with these odds, you'll never win in the long run.

[5jj]

I think that you are trying to put a precise meaning on words that don't carry a precise meaning.

[SoothingDave]

It could refer to the gambler raising the stakes in an attempt to win "big." Say, moving from 5 cent slot machines to 25 cent machines.

Or it could refer to the gambler spending money he can't afford to lose, in order to gain back his earlier losses. After losing the car payment money, he gambles away the mortgage money figuring he is "due" for a win.

[konungursvia]

To me it means that when losing, gamblers are easily tempted to throw reason out the window and bet irrationally, hoping their luck will turn.