I have to wonder if this is a video game problem, or if it's a sort of financial self-destructiveness expressed through a video game rather than through some other means.

Like, for every person who spends money they don't have on video games, how many people spend money they don't have on fancy cars, or clothing, or expensive pets, other luxury possessions? How many people spend the rent money on sneakers, or the kids' college fund on fancy vacations, or the utility bill money on anime figurines, or their whole paycheck on partying, or their retirement fund on too much house?

Financial self-destructiveness seems to be a problem that some people have. It gets reported heavily when it's expressed through video games, in part because much of the reporter's audience thinks all video games are fundamentally pointless and evil to begin with.

If they spend 50k on a videogame, then they have 50k to spend by definition, whether or not it's actually their money. If it's not actually their money, then I have even less sympathy.

I'll give another example. I have a lot of sympathy for opiate addicts. I have zero sympathy for opiate addicts who steal from their friends and family.