some gambling cases could be due to loneliness , but majority don't . people get addicted to drugs to escape away from reality , they don't want to face their troubles in life . So addiction leads to loneliness not the other way ! .
I think this kind of discussion needs a supervision of a suitable specialist not on forums where anyone can say random words.
It's still better to discuss with this kind of issues to also help other gamblers to narrow down the main issue of being lonely which leads to addiction. Addiction is a serious matter which needs to be handled by some specialist and you definitely right with your concern.
To me I think that the main reason which compel people to start playing gambling can only be that they do not have any job or any good source of income. Or those people who have such company who are addicted to gambling. I think that very few people may be thinking that they have started gambling because of loneliness.