Sorry to hear about your sad past. However do you ever realize that gambling actually is not really bad if you play it with a limit to yourself? I suppose you play with no limits to land yourself in such a bad experience in the past.
Yes, also if there are problems like addiction, it is better if it is spotted in early stages. Once, the problem has happened, the resolution depends on many factors.
Just like other forms of addiction, this also requires family support. Family members should ensure that you are not spending too much time on gambling and it is just being done for fun.
It could be a good thing for anyone in minor age but in adults it isn't a big deal even if you are spotted. It is easy for a miner to be in the eyes of parents, teachers and even cops or any responsible person of the society but to adults everyone will act normally. We have a large number of people who become addicted at adult stage.