the reason why gambling is prohibited tho is because it might escalate into fights if someone for example loses and doesn't pay their debts just shows how gambling will always exist anywhere
That's a good reason to prohibit it but does it stop people from gambling, no it doesn't and that's how it's always going to be. When you prohibit something, it only make people want to do them more. I think there should have been better ways for gambling to be discouraged without forcing people to stop through prohibition. Make it allow and see how lesser amounts of people will still be gambling. Soon as they see that it isn't favouring them. They'll look for other things that they can do for entertainment or for making money because that's also the reason people still gamble even in prisons. I don't have personal experience of gambling in prison but I have seen them in movies and it isn't something that I find entertaining because people die from this.
There are effective approach as you have advised, which can be used instead of instant denial on right to gamble in other not to lead into depression, all we may have to do is in finding a suitable condition or remedy that can be out in place in replacement to what has been the addiction, we must also see to it that it's such that is more effective and could drive the chance of seeing a change.