There’s no free rent at a casino unless you are proven to be a gambler though - or am I mistaken.

Civilization is fast becoming a casino. Housing is increasingly expensive, most offers are some money-for-dopamine deal. Social media is a never ending row of slot machines. We keep betting small chunks of attention that we will have a mythical pay-off (fame, love, glory), and most just waste away pressing the buttons and looking at the colors change for ever.

In what way does something becoming expensive (in this case housing) make it like a casino? And what would be a flip-side for that metaphor ("housing prices are remaining where they are, which is like {{thing}}")?

Not disagreeing you, just unable to follow the connection you are making.

Housing used to be about acquiring acceptable shelter. Now it's more like paying high fees for temporary arrangements... Civilization should be about diverse spaces people can build together but lately it's more like living in a planet size casino with a dumpster fire out back...