I think relationships can help and hurt gambling at the same time. Friends might give tips or share advice, but they can also pressure you to bet more. Being alone can make you bored and gamble more just to feel something.
It's best to have support from people who want you to stay in control.
As an adult, you should be able to handle pressure from friends to gamble more than you can afford to lose. I have friends who gamble with large sums, and they sometimes encourage me to gamble with the same amount as them. I don't take such advice because some of them earn more than I do, and others usually get financial support from family members. If they lose big on gambling, they have extra funds or support from relatives. But I don't have such privilege, that's why I must follow my budget strictly. I usually accept gambling tips from friends who I know are well-experienced gamblers, and it has been helpful. But there is no guarantee that they are correct, so I have to bear the risk.