This really was an interesting thread because of the subject matter but after trolls and signature spammers started doing what they do, the thread has somewhat derailed. Gambling with fake money as an alternative to help those with gambling addictions defeats the object of trying to rehabilitate those in trouble.
I am not an addicted gambler or better have been in the past but luckily have learned that self control and I quit whenever I like no matter the case winning or losing.However from personal experience what is happening with a colleague of mine,he is using a website to play all the demos of all the slots available and by doing so it has been a couple of weeks he has not played with real money.I am not saying that alternative or playing with demo money will make him forget about gambling with real money but it can help especially when paired with other things that we all know like the professional help and talking to friend and families.