> The real concern here is that, for many people, paid employment simply doesn't look like a viable way to earn a living anymore, so they feel the need to play high-risk, high-reward games in the first place.

This cannot possibly be the motivation; gambling is very rarely a worthwhile investment.

Manipulation through advertising, mobile app behavior alteration, and ease of access are the sole motivators here.

Gambling addition is a addiction. No one who has it is rational. Same way drugs is an addiction, people who are on drugs are rarely thinking rational.

And why would they when there's very few options to begin with.

I dont get what you think is happening when people gamble or take drugs. Rarely is the reason rational and sober.