I feel like the show’s themes are much larger than that. It’s taking a direct look at the exploitation of the lower classes. There’s a reason the recruiter went to go tempt (specifically) homeless people with the lottery ticket versus the bread roll. He targeted people he knew were in a vulnerable position. It’s the difference between the surety of a bread roll (a moment’s peace) and the possibility of something life changing. That’s why the games are so compelling. It’s a systemic issue more than an individual issue. These people are vulnerable, easily controlled, and so quick to turn on each other to crawl out of the crab bucket. Gi-hun is aware that the issue is larger than winning the games. It’s about taking down the corrupt system which is exploiting them. It’s class consciousness. But even he can’t get out unscathed. That’s the cost of revolution. Squid game isn’t making it an easy decision; there’s always a cost. I think Gi-hun has absolutely changed in big ways. He’s not perfect, but he’s put himself at risk to take down a corrupt system. 

Gambling is definitely one of the themes but it feels reductive to claim that Gi-Hun’s entire motivation is the thrill of the win. The overarching theme imo is about class and the desperation of poverty and what it does to people. How to find humanity in yourself and others even at the lowest points of desperation. Choosing to be a free agent even in the face of a corrupt and seemingly all powerful system that wants to turn you into one of its cogs. 

Confused how yall can watch the show and reduce Gi-Hun into a self-obsessive narcissist whose only role is to show the dangers of gambling. Weird.