The word gambling sounds more deep so you would hardly hear it but rather what is preferably said is betting as that is what is generally considered to be of an easy going one. However, my country is not against it as the government taxes the betting organisation in the country and they generate huge revenue and either ways, they both benefits from it.
Gambling is prohibited in our country but some gambling platforms are running their business. Moreover, there is no significant law on gambling in my country. But it is understood that it is difficult for the government to stop it. I believe that the way this industry is developing, gambling should be legalized in the future. However, the impact of gambling has increased so much that the common people are confused about whether it is legal or illegal. I see that most of the gamblers are gambling on their gambling apps.
It is true that the gambling industry is growing so fast and gaining traction. However still yet, some government do not recognise it while some do and are taking taxes from the gambling organisations in their various countries serving as a source of revenue collection for them. I believe that irrespective of the fact that some government put a restriction on it in their country, their nationals still gamble through app with the help of VPN on those casinos with a no KYC policy. Talking of the legality and illegality, I just believe the laws of every land takes it course as it is enshrined in the constitution of that country.
Gambling is one of the most popular forms of entertainment that are being practised today and pulled in many customers despite the laid down measures in different countries. Some governments have revealed it has economic value through the use of taxes, however, some governments still keep it under regulated due to some reasons. However, the real situation is that with the help of applied technologies, it is relatively easy to obtain these services, even in such countries as the USA. This proves the fact that the existing standards and rules are still far from the real practise in the given sphere. It is accepted without fail that every nation has their own legal system which they follow as per the policies and beliefs they hold but society on the same note has its own ways in a manner in which they are going to survive such conditions.
You are right when you talk about the government taking taxes from gambling. There are some countries with nothing to hold onto, but rather they have and approve the existence of gambling and casinos in their countries. They make sure they take it seriously as they collect taxes from these gambling and casino organisations. They make sure they provide a conducive environment for them to thrive in because they are the major source of their revenue, so they would not want them to go away.
As for gambling being that popular, I do not doubt it because from the beginning, right from the days of mans existence before now, man has gambled in various form, so you saying gambling is popular is not a new thing to this world and it would continue to exist as the most popular exercise in the world people engage in.