I played online poker whilst I was at University. I won some money that enabled me to buy a new laptop, I also lost the money for my rent a few months later. It was a slippery path I didn't wanna tread no longer.
I dunno man, sounds like you're just trying to justify a crap pastime. Is it worth it? Or is it just another cheap thrill? A sniff of instant pleasure that is distracting you from filling your life with more wholesome and rewarding pursuits. I think gambling is vacuous bollucks, It's the same as drinking for me.