Most of the countries actually putting bans on gambling are for religious reasons and that's why it's mostly the middle east region although it's not entirely pin on those areas but I think you get the picture. Other countries are actually utilizing the massive gambling industry which is something that the government are well known for as they always exploit situation to their benefits and one way they achieve this is by taxing the gambling industry which active initiative towards this.
I agree with you honestly. Most religious groups are on the motion that gambling is a sin, so I'll assume that in such countries, their government would as well be against it and since they have to power its much more easy to ban it completely. Honestly gambling is something any one can choose to do, so long they can bear the risk involved. The only thing I know that many gamblers fail is the fact that they take gambling as a means to make money and end up ruining their life's. Many governments who actually care about their citizens would go to any extent to cub what ever that would cause harm to them..
Hatchy you are right, some religion see gambling as a sin and they don't allow anyone practicing that religion to get involved in gambling and if all citizens of that country practice that same religion that see gambling as a sin they will ban it for good, and they will even make a law that will punish anyone caught gambling, however if there are other religions in that country that don't see gambling as a sin they can't ban gambling in that country, for example my country Nigeria we have different religion and so what is a sin in one religion is not for another religion.
Hatchy I agree with you, the only problem that some gamblers face is trying to use gambling as there source of income some set of people just want to be making money from it they put all there attention and hope in it and from there they become addicted to it, and when you are addicted to gambling you will surely ruin your life.
Yeah if government sees that gambling is making there citizens useless or is ruining there life they have the right to ban it so as to safe there citizens, that is there duty.