This paper examines the social determinants of gambling from the perspective of the actors directly involved. The objectives of the empirical research were, inter alia, to determine the legal regulation of gambling, annual revenue of the gambling industry and the amount of its tax allocations. The attempt was also made to determine the way how different aspects of gambling and the gambling related issues are interpreted by the participants of self-help groups for gambling addicts, the accompanying persons, group managers and the gambling personnel. The paper also sets out the theoretical insights from the standpoint of different authors dealing with the research on gambling. The legal regulation governing the organization of games of chance in Croatia is displayed while laws, regulations, acts and decisions are commented from a sociological perspective, in an attempt to offer certain changes that need to be implemented. An overview of the gambling research in the world and Croatia has been presented along with the financial aspects of gambling. The qualitative research was conducted through a semi-structured interview with the actors directly involved: the participants of the self-help groups for gambling addicts, the accompanying persons, group managers and the gambling personnel. The key findings demonstrate that gambling is a widespread phenomenon in Croatia and despite the legal prohibition, it is highly accessible to juveniles. The findings also show the media encourages gambling and a strong need for education on addictive forms of gambling is present. In addition, certain recommendations that arose from the findings of the research were made in relation to the necessary changes regarding the legal regulation as well as various other aspects, such as the advertisement of gambling. In conclusion, suggestions for further research efforts in studying the complex gambling phenomena were made, with the expressed concern over the current situation, but at the same time the belief that with the engagement of experts from different disciplines, in an attempt to improve the regulation of the overall gambling system, the number of potential addicts will be reduced and the rehabilitation of the existing ones will be facilitated.