You know, everyone has a secret. A well dressed man or woman might look very responsible until one looks deep only to uncover shady involvements. One's life and livelihood often depend on reputation. Like it is popularly said, a good name is better than riches, so when one has a bad reputation, it affects the flow of income, or better still chases the goddess of luck away.
Gambling is not too bad until it is done in excessive. For one to dress well and be known as a gambler is for the most part degrading, that is if one actually gives a hoots ass about public opinion.
If in or affiliated with a responsible organization, it is quite reasonable to shove aside some known habits like gambling, so as such an organization does not feel exploited or feel it is wasting resources in the person of an employee.
One should therefore guard his/her reputation and also learn to keep a balance as regards spending monies on gambling and other related demeaning habits.
Each people have skeletons in their closet in which they don't want other people to know of because of the reason that it can taint their reputation. We all have that certain bad experience or mistake we don't are not ready to share with anyone because of the judgment that we might get from it. Hence, some people believe that there are specific things better left unsaid so that it won't cause trouble/s.
I agree with what you said that livelihood and the status of someone's life depends on his reputation. Of course, if you have good reputation, most people will like you and opportunities will go your way. Majority of the businesses, employers, and people in general do not want to be involved with someone with bad character and tainted reputation because it can damage them as well. When you feel like the boat will sink, you definitely won't board in it.
Gambling has been painted bad in the mainstream media because most of the time, the consequences of it are highlighted. We can't really blame the people by thinking that way. After all, if you know it to yourself that you are a responsible gambler and do not do the things they think of you, then you don't have to be anxious. You are not obliged to prove yourself..