What can stop a chronic gambler from gambling? Funny enough, I'm still looking. There's nothing as elating as knowing your chips are piling, but it can be so depressing when it all comes crashing down. As the op mentioned, there are health issues and money issues involved too but a gambler won't mind going as far as stealing when he has exhausted all the avenues for borrowing because he believes the next game will be winning number.
There are people who have self control, but not all.
Health issues may at some point put a gambler to a stop but money is not a big deal for someone is addicted. It may be for a wise gambler who doesn't go above what he is capable of loosing and always put cautions into check but a person who doesn't do this will go to any length to look for money to wage any games. I have seen cases where some take loans and later becomes a long defaulter and even to the point of using family money to play.
In general, everyone has way they put things, know your limit and the things you can accept as loss. It shouldn't be a case when your loss becomes an agony or sleepless night.