Interesting. I am going to try and find that study when I get off work. Based on your summary, it kind of reminds me of the "Rat Park^1" study a bit.

I can and cannot believe people could be so addicted to gambling that they voluntarily wallow in their excrement. I used to have a family friend that worked a company that owned and operated many of those gambling machines. He said that they are basically all rigged (go figure). You know, kind of like claw machines -- it doesn't matter how well you aim. The claw's grip strength is algorithmically controlled. Thus, the claw give the illusion that one was actually close to snagging the prize.

You are correct that gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives. Well, I guess all addictions can or else such issues wouldn't be classified as addictions. However, in the gambling addiction thread on here a few days ago. Someone cited some stat that stated that gambling addiction is the addiction with the highest rate of suicide. I did not verify that information, so take that for what it is worth, but I can believe it.

[1] https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-tea...