Are Gambling and Poverty Really Connected?

I am unemployed right now, it sucks I hate it. For the first time in my "adult" life I haven't had to go to work 5 days a week for close to 40 hours a week, and I've never wanted to gamble more. I don't know if there is some inherent connection to not knowing when you're going to get another real paycheck, and wanting to risk all you do have for the Big Dirty. Take for instance what would be my favorite way to gamble, sports betting.

I like to think I know a fair bit about sports, and thus obviously think I could make a killing betting on sports, even though my brain tells me the system is rigged so if you play enough you can't come out ahead, just like Keno. The sport in which I would say I have the best chance of winning on is MMA. This past Wednesday the UFC aired a free event on Spike TV in which they televised 4 bouts. The undercard had another 7 bouts I believe but am currently too lazy to check. Well UFC.COM has a free fantasy pool, which I have been playing in for the past year and half or so. given an average of 16 events per year I figure I have entered my picks for 20 events give or take a couple. Only once have my picks been below 50%. Their pool requires you also pick how it will end, also in what round and time. 2 Times I have placed in the top 20 which means they send me a free shirt, an octogon mouse pad (anybody want one? i have extra) keychains, stupid shit like that. Last week's event I correctly pick he winner in every bout, and all I could think off is why won't Canada let me bet on this. I literally would only have to work part time. I realize once odds are factored into the equation it gets a little more complicated.

If I had $1000.00 to bet on fights with, I know I could make enough money off that to feed myself and probably pay the rent too. Which brought me to this question, why didn't I thnk like this when I had a job?