[sdjcom]

making a occasional bet on the derby, super bowl, world series,etc which many people do at the office pool, or at the track or on-line, football cards,does not make them a gambler. A gambler can be respected or thought of as a bum,for instance. player who wins big money at a handicapping contest, do you think of him as a bum?,how about Andy beyer, John White, Steve Byk, Steve Crist? we think of them as sucessful, because they are.
people who gamble away their livelyhood,bill money,savings,and make life miserable for all around them, these are gambling bums, who have no direction and are gambling fools. I would say most golfers, hunters boaters,and skiers spend as much money a year on their passions as i do. Yes you can be a fan and sucessful bettor.