There are more important things government have to do for the society instead of wasting money on programs. Who even say people should gamble in the first place? Gambling is a choice, just like drinking excessive alcohol is a choice, they can only legalize and control the consumption rate and as well tell people some policies so they don't abuse it and that's exactly what they are doing even in gambling, so why should government be responsible for what you decide to use life to do.
I am in support of government creating jobs for people, doing all sort of things to make people's life better and any ways to subsidies things so people don't go into hardship and start taking excessive risk but saying that government should come and do all things that aren't necessary is very unreasonable and waste of resources. It's better they use such funds for development and infrastructure that will be meaningful for everyone and not people that has decided to be gamblers.
Governments certainly are resource strained and they have much on their agenda. It is natural that they need to pursue course on creating jobs, developing infrastructure as well as programs that get people out of difficulty. Gambling is truly a matter of preference and it is another thing as you have stated that it is comparable to drinking wherein people are free to choose but this must be brought under control so that such will not be abused. The government does not really need to correct all the personal choices individuals make but they can provide environment in which people can have more opportunities and therefore will not have reasons to resort to risky behaviors. Nevertheless, I believe a compromise should exist in which we will have controlled gambling but other social issues will not be overlooked. On the whole, the priorities of the government must be to ensure long-term changes, which will help all people.