In fact, gambling is a very dangerous thing, if a gambler loses control over his gambling, then gambling can easily become an addiction. Moreover, many gamblers fall into gambling addiction because of their main purpose in gambling, If they gamble only to make money, they will easily lose control, as a result of which they will sink into gambling addiction. Gambling can never be the main goal of life. Gambling should only be used for fun and entertainment. Always gamble responsibly, not irresponsibly. And it is very important to set a specific limit before each game and not to go beyond a certain budget any way, and stop Gambling after a certain time in very importent. Because if a gambler cannot stay after a certain time, he will start gambling beyond his means, which will put him in much greater financial trouble. This is why you should always gamble responsibly, set a specific budget and time frame, and stick to it.
When they use gambling as an escape, they can lose control and become an addicted to gambling. Many people gets this problem without they can realize that something already change to them. Gambling as an escape is like they want to run from the fact that they have many things to do but just playing gambling to fills their time. Gambling is just for fun and not because of other reasons so we must playing gambling with having a responsibility so we can prevent the problem that can comes. They don't have to use gambling as an escape especially to runs from what the reality but they must face that and solve the problem. If they can not do that, they will gets more problem that will makes their lives difficult.
Anything that is used as an escape becomes self destructive at the long long run, talking about the fact that you said it fills their time, do you think it has anything to do with joblessness? Because I think if someone has a job and is fully occupied he wouldn't think of trying to use gambling as a way to escape reality, he'd be preoccupied by his activities aand not having time to gamble. Gambling was made for the purpose of entertainment and not a distraction, I wish a lot of people can realize this it would save them from a whole lot of problems.