The countries that banned gambling in recent times did not take those decisions on religious background but mostly because they perceive that it is impacting on their population negatively. In other words, they took those steps as a way of helping their citizens deal with gambling addiction. I don't blame them because they acted on their understanding but the truth still remains that not action leads to positive results because this case in question will not stop any addicted gambler because they must find a way of gambling no matter what their government does.
Do you think they do it for religion? i don't think so, religion is just an excuse to do what they like and that's it.
We know very well how the opium of the poor works, don't be fooled by these rumors, they do it because they evidently have no economic returns.