El jugador

First published in 1866, The Gambler is one of the most famous novels about gambling addiction in literature. The story centers on Alexei Ivanovich, a young man working as a tutor for a Russian family living in a German hotel. The family is struggling financially, and Alexei becomes addicted to roulette, partly to emulate his employers' daring approach to money. Thus, he wins and loses enormous sums while searching for love, wealth, and acceptance. However, his human relationships are fleeting and superficial, ultimately being sacrificed on the altar of his addiction.