Taxes. Bout it basically. Unless gambling companies would start pushing for infrastructure buildings to hire more people, then that's about it. Gambling casinos often just move money from the user, to them, then to the government, that's basically most of it's contribution to the economy. What we need right now is for people to spend money and for the government to fix the problems of unemployment, of which the first one, none would probably spend money on gambling when they're suffering right now, and two, employment is quite limited in casinos.
Gambling doesn't destroy lives, it's you who does that. I can't understand one thing, what's the purpose of life? To feel happy, right? If gambling doesn't make you happy, then why do you gamble? And if it makes you happy, then - why not to gamble? I have seen a lot of gamblers who are rich, bet high and get fun from it, this behavior doesn't ruin their life. But at the same time I have seen more likely a poor or normal budget people who gamble with high bets that exceeds what they can afford and idea behind their gambling is more and more profit. So, guess what destroys lives? Laziness, lazy people who want to get money easily by gambling, fail and then blame this business and call it a monster, death machine.
TRUE. Most people and some specialists even think of Gambling as some sort of drug. Why even? Gambling is an intangible thing, in a sense, is a form of entertainment. If you were to consider that as a drug, you should also consider sports, games, etc. Specialists should really start by telling addicts how Gambling isn't the one destroying you, but you yourself.