The costs of a gambling lifestyle depends on what you are gambling for.
If you are the type of person who loves to gamble for fun, and by fun I mean within your budget, then the gambling lifestyle is just that: fun. It brings excitement when you win, but it doesn't break the bank if you lose. If you are gambling for fun then you should be able to lose without fear. If you worry about losing your money than that is gambling to make an earning, which brings me to my next point.
If you are gambling for another source of income, then you must understand and be able to recognize that there will be many times when the house wins. You must be able to afford this. If you cannot afford this, then the cost of this form of gambling can lead to extremely dangerous situations.
For example, if you are borrowing money to gamble in hopes of making more to repay your debt plus earn some, there is a significant risk in not winning anything at all. Your debt will remain and there is a strong possibility that you will need to borrow again to try and make up for your losses. You run the risk of starting a vicious cycle where you will never be able to repay your debts owed to other people. There are similar results if you are using money you would otherwise use to live.
Play within your means, or otherwise suffer the consequences of unmanageble debt and stress.