The answer
This information about one of our children is indeed profoundly distressing. It is important that the few friends he has, just as yourself, remain in his life doing exactly what you are doing, continuing to rally by his side, always trying to bring him to Christ just as the four loyal friends did with their paralytic friend who had succumbed to illness due to sin. His inability to help himself and the obstacles the good friends faced to get him the spiritual medicine directly from Christ which he desperately needed could have discouraged them, but they knew that Christ was the only answer. Thus, the Lord recognized their faith before He healed him (Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26).
Gambling has paralyzed your friend's senses and weakened his spirit. His illness is addiction and he is stuck in a very bad place. Unfortunately, he will probably not seek help until he hits the bottom. There is no doubt that this will happen once the winning streak ends; and it will. By then, he will have caused much damage to himself, to his future, and to many relationships.
His family needs support, encouragement, patience, and prudence. They should secure their assets and belongings so that when the gambling turns sour, he does not destroy his family's financial stability and wipe out all their savings, or even incur mounting debts under their names, thus, ruining their credit in the process.
He needs his loved ones to offer their most sincere fasts and prayers on his behalf. God can change hearts as the beautiful Psalm says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)