Why is the effective strategy not moderation but absolute abstinence?
Not for everyone. Not all people are subject to gambling addiction; why should a person who is not concerned with such a problem stop playing if he needs to at some time? This applies to any activity that we like. If alcohol does not cause problems, there is no need to forbid yourself from it. If games are part of some entertainment, on par with visiting a restaurant or bar, and are not regular, there are no problems. Human psychology is built on attachments, but a sense of proportion is always in everything necessary; if it is not there, then you can get a bad addiction even to food. Hence the question: is it worth stopping eating if you do not know how to cope with your passions?
That's right. If a person gets dopamine and adrenaline from gambling and his addiction does not cause financial or psychological problems, then he should not even think about completely giving up gambling. Completely giving up gambling is necessary for those who have problems with it and cannot overcome their addiction on their own. In this case, complete refusal gives the gambling addict time to understand the existing problem and learn to enjoy life without gambling. Otherwise, such gamblers simply go down the path of degradation.