Whatever we do publicly or privately has its advantages and disadvantages. Gambling is a game that has been privatized due to the recent integration of online casinos. So, people won't know if we gamble unless we open up to them. And nobody goes out on the street screaming that he's a gambler. As you said, Iroh, players only tell people they think should know, close friends or family. Sometimes the winning could be so outrageous that the player will unknowingly tell many people, out of joy, that he won big in gambling. There are cases like this where people wouldn't mind unveiling their gambling attitude. It has some advantages, especially in times of difficulty or problem gambling.
Those who kept their gambling habit a secret from everyone would have a hard time telling people when they've got an underlying problem. Talking to people as suggested is fine, as they'll serve as a watchdog on our behavioral change. This doesn't mean the whole society should know about this, we all deserve some privacy. Keeping such thing as gambling a secret, makes it sound like gambling is banned in the country. In a society where gambling is accepted, gambling platforms are built in all corners of the street. What is there to hide or keep a secret? It wouldn't hurt the people around us if we told them about the attitude. I don't see anything wrong with sharing the information. It shouldn't be a secret.
Found some good points that I support in your post. It isnt necessary to yell on the street "I am a gambler! I am a gambler!" But it also isnt necessary to cross the street or try to ignore the question "Do you gamble?" when somebody asks. I am not keeping in secret that I gamble. And I dont welcome people "Hello, my name is TopTort777 and I gamble". And you know what, I have never had any trouble or any kind of harassment from not hiding that I gamble. I see only disadvantages of hiding such hobby and see no advantages.
Btw, would gladly listen to any advantages of hiding gambling hobby. (opinion from those where gambling is illegal does not count).
Honestly I'm glad to see and read your statement here which is quite funny but obviously you said everything right my friend, and not keeping gambling activities a secret doesn't mean we have to announce to others by shouting in the field that "I'm a gambler", people might think that you're a freak, meaning that there are some people like you who don't keep gambling activities a secret but it also doesn't mean publicizing it intentionally to the public eye or like when you introduce yourself to other people you just met.
So far you haven't had any problems even though you don't make it a secret that you are a gambler when someone asks you, and maybe I would say one of the reasons why some other gamblers prefer to keep their gambling activities a secret like lying when someone asks them about whether they are a gambler or not, The reason is because they are afraid that they will be claimed as having a bad personality for being involved in gambling regardless of whether they are responsible and sensible gamblers or not, especially when they are in a country that does not legalize gambling which as a whole is usually a pretty negative view of gambling in addition to the fact that people may already know about the bad effects of addiction itself which can make an addicted person harm others such as in the case of borrowing money, theft, or cheating. I understand that it is possible for society to have a bad view of someone who is identified as a gambler regardless of whether the country prohibits gambling or not, but the point is that there are some people (gamblers) who are too worried about themselves when they don't keep their gambling activities secret, because when society has a bad view of someone, it can eliminate trust in social relationships.