Can be because their country is in situation that it is right now, not the best standards, poor economy for must thus it can result in a lot of stress for the in life. By gambling they might try to win some money or simply to escape reality ad not think about it much it can be addiction and if you state that many of them really gamble it's easy for new people to get into it if their friends are gambling.

Although I am not from there so I can't judge much maybe we just see things differently as an outsiders.