Me going home with empty pocket is not very entertaining at all. I don't think it would before majority of the people who has wife and kids. It may be for the rich who are not having money problems but finance is always the reason for wife and husbands quarrel, you get entertained in the casino but at home will not be entertaining.
Don't blame gambling for the lack of self-discipline. It is a gambler's choice whether he will spend all his money on gambling or separate budgets according to its usage. Gambling games are just a tool for entertainment and possible profit generation. It never encourages us to bet more than what we can afford to lose.
That is if they are a professional gambler. It makes sense to practice using real money because that is more challenging than practicing using a demo version of the game. If you aren't a pro gambler, I don't think gambling can contribute on improving your skill.
There is a study that proves that engaging in gambling activity can sharpen a person's mind and thus can improve brain-related skills. It was discussed in
one of the threads here in the gambling discussion