To start with I wouldn't build a future that would see my child going in to gambling at such age. Even if it happens that he gets in to gambling. It will be base on fun for his favorite game and not an escape route from poverty. An 18 years old child should be more concerned and bothered about their future rather wanting to indulge in to gambling. It all goes down to the kind of future you prepare for your children. Parents need to take up their responsibilities and not let this be an option for survival for their offspring.
As a parent, I understand your fear because of the many outcomes of gambling we have seen people under go. Personally, I don't want to see my child gamble when he is 18th, online opinions can say what they like but it's my choice because an 18 years old should be facing his education and how to build his future to a greater height, starting a life of casino would probably be attention taken to him, I will only allow him bet when he is making money and responsibles for taking care of himself.
He will also be gambling only if he knows how to gamble responsibly, I'm afraid to see what happened to addicted gambles happening to my own child. I see how some people has moved from somebody to nothing and that's because of reckless gambling with any money they see whether it's their own or it's the money entrusted for them to help keep.