Closing down the biggest gambling hub wouldn't stop gambling in the country because gamblers will look for ways go continue their gambling activities, because gambling is part of human nature. The revenue that comes in to the government purse will not be there and such revenue can be use to develop the country. It's the government that is bringing more hardship to the country because shutting down this big gambling hub will affect both the government and citizens directly or indirectly.
True that, in fact there are still online gambling that is licensed to operate in the country. Even if the largest hub is closed, it will only redirect these players to other local platforms or local casinos and eventually online gambling. I believe it is not the gambling activity that is the reason behind this closure but lots of illegal stuff aside from gambling is happening in this hubs. That includes kidnapping, drug selling, even others are suspected to be people planted to the country through these gambling hubs for espionage.