Gambling in the Orthodox Community — What’s causing it, and can anything stop it? To what extent is gambling linked to following professional sports?

What makes gambling so alluring, and how widespread is it?
To what extent is gambling linked to following professional sports?
What strategies are effective in helping someone quit gambling?
Should watching professional sports be banned?
If a child uses a parent’s credit card to gamble without permission, is that considered stealing?
Halachically speaking, is the parent responsible for charges made by the child?