One of the biggest positives for myself and gambling are the friendships I've made from it. Formed a lot of good relationships with great people that I wouldn't have if I wasn't involved in gambling.
It really does help stimulate the economy as well by providing jobs, this is something that the gambling naysayers often forget about.
Good to know that you were able to make some friends from gambling platforms. Yeah I have made some friends too but, from my experience it's not good to involve money in this 'online' friendship. Don't give loans or ask them. It's better to keep the friendship away from that.
Government could get a fair amount as tax from gambling. Sadly, my country doesn't allow any type of gambling activities except for some states. yet, underground illegal gambling worth billions. If government could regulate it, that would really help the economy.