You need to ask this question in the main forum. Most peolpe in this section are gamblers and therefore probably not very objective. My perception is that poker has gained in popularity so that it has become quite glamorous. Winning a million dollars playing a tournament is a very attractive idea. This makes it quite dangerous because you have to be very aware, educated, and skillful. Many peolpe have gone bankrupt and worse if they develop a gambling problem. Playing poker is like swimming in shark infested waters and it pays not to be a fish. In other words, it is a game of skill and not just luck. In other forms of gambling you are playing against the house and there are very few beatable games. In poker, you can control the outcome a bit more but that doesn't guarantee success. The game is harder than it looks. Some poker players make a very attractive living and others do not. If you are asking me if I feel there is a stigma I don't. However, there is such a thing as gambling addiction. If a professional enjoys gambling they will probably not be a successful player. Playing poker professionally is a job. It is a grind and is not easy. I would only be wary if that person consistently tried to borrow money, could not control their finances, and could not keep their life together.