Yes, using fake money to gamble can also be a solution because if you want to continue gambling we don't need to deposit money directly, we can just enjoy the game without having to be afraid of losing and our finances will remain safe.
For those that have fell into an addiction I do not think this is going to be too helpful, and my reasoning for this is that since they developed a compulsion already towards gambling, anything that resembles it may trigger in them the desire to try their luck one more time.
So while using play money to gamble may seem to provide a solution for those people, instead it is just tempting them to go back to their old ways, and in that case it is better for them to give up gambling completely for good.
Using fake money to gamble is a solution that can be used for people who want to experience gambling games without having to deposit money. They can experience many gambling games, especially slots, which have a variety of slot games from many slot providers.
By playing gambling games using fake money, they can enjoy their gambling games without having to think about gambling addiction. But if they choose to deposit their money to gamble and want to experience real gambling, at that point, they could run into problems. And it can indeed cause gambling addiction for them while they don't know how to anticipate it.
They shouldn't try to visit the casino for any purpose other than to experience any problems from gambling. Especially if they don't have self-control when playing slots, either using money or using fake money.
These games can be entertaining and harmless, but are we missing something important? Psychological impact. Gambling's joy comes from taking chances and being unpredictable, not only from the money. Aren't these games, even with fake money, potentially fostering a gambling mindset? It's like dancing without music - the moves are the same but the feeling is different. Gambling can lead to addiction and financial ruin.
You mention self-control, which is crucial. The individual's gambling relationship matters more than the medium (real or fake money). Could playing with phony money give a false sense of security, making one underestimate genuine gambling risks? It's like bike training wheels - they prevent falls but don't teach balance. Don't we need to realize that gambling addiction is about behavior and impulse control, regardless of stakes? Fake money gambling may be safer, but it doesn't address self-control and risk awareness.