Paul's mother is greedy and incapable of being grateful for what she has. The fact that she will be given money over time is not enough for her. She want the entire amount at once. Instead of being grateful for a steady income, she wants a great deal of money at her disposal.

She is irresponsible with the money, as well. Instead of improving her financial outlook and paying off her debts, she spends it frivolously and it disappears quickly. Paul , therefore, feels the need to continue winning in the hopes of making more money in the hope that he will finally make his mother happy, and more importantly, feel that his mother loves him.