Why is alcohol abuse often linked to compulsive gambling?

Why is alcohol abuse often linked to compulsive gambling?

Marc Kern (Addiction Expert, Director of Addiction Alternatives) gives expert video advice on: How big of a problem is gambling addiction?; What causes addictive gambling?; When addicted gamblers are losing, do they actually believe they'll win? and more...

Alcohol abuse and gambling seem to go hand in hand. There are a variety of theories and models of why that happens to be. Of course there is again that personality propensity; I want to feel good, alcohol works efficiently, effectively, predictably every single time. Gambling seems also to be more of what I call to be a high arousal form of addiction like sort of amusement parks or other things. Gambling stimulates us, it gets us excited. And what is alcohol? Alcohol is sort of a sedative, so alcohol sort of helps us fine tune ourselves at the gambling table. It also, in Las Vegas, helps the casinos and interferes with judgment. But in my understanding it's mostly about this balancing act that the individual is trying to accomplish.