The government is aimed at collecting taxes, and I think gambling brings them significant revenue, just like the sale of alcohol, so they will not restrict what generates money. Combining alcohol with gambling is the responsibility of the players, if it does not affect their ability to control themselves, then it is fine, but if it reduces concentration and interferes with decision-making, it is better not to do it.
That's not 100% true though. If it would be just about taxes, all illegal drugs would be taxed as well, as and it would be insane amount of tax revenue.
It's not really about if gambling is destructive or not, it's about the belief if it is or not. And most of the politicians would get votes even if they had one only that issue to run for the office. Meanwhile no one would win if they only had one issue to run for office (legalize gambling).