Why do people who make money by cheating enjoy losing it through real gambling?

1. The dopamine mechanism of gambling addiction

Gambling stimulates the brain to release dopamine, a "reward hormone" that makes people feel excited and satisfied.

Winning by cheating often lacks the real elements of “uncertainty” and “luck,” making the thrill less intense.

As a result, many turn to real gambling, seeking the uncertainty and adrenaline rush that comes from fairness.

2. Proving oneself and seeking real satisfaction: the emptiness of cheating

While winning by cheating is easy, many feel internally that this isn't a “true skill,” lacking a sense of achievement.

They turn to real gambling to prove they can win under fair conditions, satisfying their self-esteem or need to show off.

In psychology, this is similar to “compensatory behavior”: using real gambling to “clean” the money won through cheating.

However, the randomness of real gambling often leads them to lose more than they win, and coupled with addiction, money quickly flows away.

Some even deliberately lose to avoid suspicion of cheating or to alleviate guilt.

3. Distorted values and social factors: money comes fast, goes fast

Making money through cheating undermines the normal labor value—feeling that money comes too easily and is worthless.

Thus, they do not cherish this “ill-gotten wealth” and tend to squander it on real gambling.