As long as they are gambling it wouldn't lessen those bad habits it wouldn't matter if they are gambling through online or in real life.
Yes it has no difference because there's a money involve. If we lose it can affect our mental health on thinking about our worries of losing the money in gambling. Sometimes to be able to temporarily forget those problem drinking and smoking are the solution to calm.
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I don't think that drinking alcohol can be a good solution to any problem, let alone gambling. Usually people become more aggressive after a drink or two, and while their resentment about being unlucky in a relationship, for example, can result in breaking a plate or sending an angry message, it can end up really badly if this is about gambling.
Which is why in physical casinos if they see that you are gambling an important amount of money drinks are free for you, it is well known that alcohol diminishes your inhibitions and your ability to think critically and when it comes to gambling this is very important since whether you are a professional gambler or just someone that likes to gamble to get some fun you are going to need to know when to stop and this is going to be almost impossible to do if you are under the influence of alcohol.