Quote Originally Posted by Kaiser of Arabia
Because it's fun...duh
Yup.
As for escapism, isn't that why we do anything? Why we read, why we watch tv or play video games?
Of course taken to the extreme, its bad. Many people who suffered from depression in the past were alcholics, because it helped relieve them of their pain. They ended up dying miserable, and well drunk. But people who only watch to much tv or do video games can end up messed up too.

As for increased chance of cancer, well, that's the persons choice if they want to gamble.