I think for a lot of people, children are the reality check that is needed for the individual to turn over a new leaf and become more responsible with his actions and habits.
Infants and young children require a great deal of care and attention and they’ve got a whole lot old needs that has to be provided. Someone irresponsible just cannot juggle between being a good parent and being at the casino gambling.
Read a thread way back about a father who was supposed to watch over the kids but still left them to go gamble.
If you’re purely an irresponsible individual, having kids won’t change anything.
Well, people change actually, and there is nothing like being an purely irresponsible person, the father who left his two year olds kids to go gambling did that on his own, it's his habit or character, and we can't because of that, conclude that people don't change from their old ways to being better when the need arises and they care.
I've seen hardcore criminals whom the world believed will never change, but surprisingly, they got married, had children, and the men completely changed for they of their children, like one confessed, he said he just wanted to be there for his boy, watch him grow into an adult and be there to correct him any time the boy tries to go the wrong way, since he himself have being there in all and have seen there is no benefits in such lifestyle.
Some parents who gambling have destroyed their lives, or have seen gambling destroy other people's live, destroy their homes and so on, and do not wish or want same to happen to their own family will definitely change, either by reducing the way the gamble, or stopping gambling completely, so as to be able to give his or her family the complete attention they deserve.