Yes Bhagwan, "punished", by way of their own making, it will turn back on them, loss of loved ones, etc etc ( I am not including here the one's that go out and rob a bank or those extremes, I'm not educated on those things so I'm out of that debate).
But the one's who owe a credit company, bank etc where it is just a number, more towards the negative as in -$10,000 in dept and with a house mort. or whatever.
That then is a "think" problem that can be solved cos like that write up says, it is not cell based, it's thought based.

The self imposed "punishment" will go down further way past low esteems and whatever other analysis the head shrinks will label it. Way way past all that, to the bottom and then a look in the mirror may say, WAKE UP!
THEN a change may occur, and only then. The only way is up OR rest in the shade of self pity.

On the up cos the "victim" has "seen a light" and passes the old labels of low self esteem, depressive and what ever else, waves at hose labels, say's "Hi there, byeee!" and keeps going.
When they out of that pit, it's a fresh start. I am very sure they will not do what they did that got them down that pit ever again.
( never sell ya marbles, just sit it out and wait, the right time will come and ya roll of the dice will get ya home.)

GA ? well I dunno, they suggest total no gambling. But if it works for some, well and good.
My passion is numbers, not math but numbers on the punt,( even before I discovered a race track, it was marbles at school, cards at home and a few dice games, those types of numbers.)
what makes those numbers "light up" is to intriguing to just let go and decided not to.

However I do agree with the right attitude and discipline the punting game
( horses and trotts for me) is a good win.

Oh BTW, thanks Mark, that was a interesting read.

By all means, if gambling is a problem, get some help, some advice at least from those that have been through a bad time and got back up and even if they got a regular job, that is ok to, nothing wrong with a bit of yakka, nothing wrong with that at all.