Pretty much nailed it - addiction and the need to fill the thrill - at any cost.
People get addicted to a feeling and the rush - then ignore common sense and warning signs and keep pushing it to get that rush.
Just like people who buy scratch off tickets - you know you will lose - and that there are plenty of better options - but convenience and getting their fix now vs delaying taking a better gamble doesn’t get them what they crave.
I used to watch people play these things or play keno in a racino and question what the hell are they thinking. Could just play video poker and have a 90% payout - but you play Keno and take a 50% payout. Of course much bigger payouts possible at keno - but you could give these junkies a 100k - it would be gone in 3 months as they try to hit a few more jackpots.