Gambling can be only referred as a short cut to poverty when the gambler becomes addicted to it. Gambling addiction is very deadly and would render whoever that's addicted to it poor and financial lack which is why gamblers are always advised to gamble responsibly and to take control of their gambling engagements. So if you know you gamble responsibly, I don't think you should have any fear of becoming poor because of your gambling activities.
I don't think gambling can lead to shortcut poverty for only those that are addicted to it, sometimes it can also lead to poverty even to those who aren't addicted to it , all it takes is just one wrong move and one has already gotten his self rekt .
The reason why gambling is shortcut poverty is because of the way most folks approach it , because some folks approach gambling like a means of earning rather than earning they will endup losing.