he stranger offering aid had no prior acquaintance with the husband. Why then was there apprehension that the funds might fuel gambling rather than support the wife's medical needs?
This short story reflects the current reality we live in.
If the person asking for help is clearly a person who is addicted to gambling, of course the person providing the help will become suspicious if the account number provided is not in the name of his wife, and the donor must be aware because he could be cheated and use the excuse of his wife who is sick to be able to get funds for gambling even though it looks very evil but usually addicts will not consider their actions evil other than thinking how to get money for gambling.
It would be better if the aid funds are directly given to the accounts of people who really need it and this step is much more appropriate, even when we make donations to foundations or people we trust sometimes it can be misused even though it is not for gambling but for other things that are profitable and not accepted by the people who need the help.
Gambling addiction stalks anyone involved in gambling, therefore all gamblers should be aware of this, even casinos warn of this because it is real.