A lot of what you write has been extensively discussed on this forum, and it seems to me most members share your views, I know I do.
Just for dialectic satisfaction, allow me to tell a little consent story. When I was 21 - which is the minimum age for gambling in my country - we went to a posh casino two hours drive away with a bunch of student friends. We dressed up for the occasion, and most of us lacked any gambling motivation, but looked forward to be part of an elegant "grown up" evening.
To my surprise, one of the guys in our group that I didn't know well approached me before we entered the casino and handed me a - for student terms - quite substantial amount in Euro bills, charmingly explaining that he might have a bit of a gambling problem and really can't afford to lose this money; I should only give it back to him upon getting back home later that night. I exchanged glances with our common friend; she smiled back assuringly and I took the money.
During the evening, our gambling friend seemed to revise his decision after losing the money he had on him and, again very charmingly, explained he now needs the money back to make up for his losses. I refused, as instructed, and thought he'd just playfully try out if I was reliable. He laughed more, fraternized, we exchanged friendly little stories, he insisted on getting back his money, got a little pushier. I checked back with our common friend and decided to keep his money in my pocket. I only gave it back to him when we arrived back in our home town, which he explicitly thanked me and our common friend for on the spot, and again a few days later.
This felt awkward for all of us three. We had not accepted his revocation of consent, and that is always problematic, even if it seems to have been the right decision there and then.
