[sandsmarc]

The general principle is: if you have to lie about what you are doing, you shouldn't do it.

You are at a point in your life where you have the energy and temperament to do what you want, but not the resources. You are living off your parents, you are benefitting from their largesse, so you must consider their wishes before commencing with a course of action.

If you're mom doesn't want you in the casino you either go and lie, or refrain and stay honest. Honesty works best and feels best so I would avoid live play in casinos for now.

There will be plenty of time for that when you are no longer a mooch.

Ultimately, you have to take a stand with your mom and tell her that you are a full grown adult and will make your own decisions, including the decision to gamble. You also have to internalize the principle that you do NOT need your parents approval to pursue a personal goal that makes sense to you. A functioning adult owes no explanations and needs no approvals.

However, you are not there yet; you are a dependent. That dependency creates expectations and you DO have to live up to them. The expectations are a cost of the dependency. You are also getting a tremendous benefit in return. Do you realize how many tens of thousands per year it costs to keep you around each year? You have to give action to get action.

Final decision: Do not go the casino right now if it creates a problem with your mom. If you are strong enough to be a winning poker player, you're strong enough to deny yourself a small amount of personal pleasure so that you can live your life honestly.

I would also explain to your mom that you have made this decision and tell her why. She might be easier to convince later if she sees that you a strong and principled person.

Personal example: When I was 21 I decided to become a professional horseplayer. Guess who staked me. That's right: Mom. I convinced her that I was not a gambler and that I had a realistic chance to make a lot of money. I did it for an entire summer and ultimately lost the $1,000 she gave me. I realized that playing horses is a losing proposition for all but the most talented and dedicated hanndicappers. The rake (17%) was just too high for me to overcome. At the end of that summer I stopped playing horses and moved on to other things. My mom is gone now, but I'll never forget the gamble she took by staking me.

That would not have happened if I was a liar who snuck off to the track and she found out about it by accident.

Do it honestly or don't do it at all.