IMHO, the gambler will eventually realize that the care is there from the true friend that suggests him to quit and doesn't tolerate his addiction.
He may think as much as he can that he's not getting help and they're not real friends. But as we have said, real friends will never tolerate their friends for their bad actions.
And those actions are going to put them into a bad situation that they may have hard time of getting out.
Yes, awareness will definitely come after someone experiences feelings that are unfair to themselves, even though behind all that there must be a reason why other people have carried out this behavior towards the gambler, with the aim of making the gambler immediately aware and able to stop being addicted to gambling.
However, if the gambler can restrain and control his emotions well then the friendship will be fine, but if the gambler has a tough character and is easily emotional, the friendship will definitely be strained.