it’s heartbreaking to watch someone’s life take such a turn. Losing control to gambling, especially at that level, can destroy not just finances but the mind and relationships too. The fact that he is paying back his debt and trying to live within his means shows that there is still some discipline left, and discipline is the first step to rebuilding.
I will say this though, your elder brother is strong and coming back from this kind of situation won’t be easy, and life might never be exactly the same for him again, but it is very possible to regain stability, take control of everyday life, and work toward new goals. His dreams may have changed, but as long as he doesn’t fall back into the same traps, he can find a way forward.
Indeed, there were so many lives that were ruined by gambling, if they haven't manage to contain their activities. Because we can't deny the fact that if the gambler will continue to play despite of losses and if he doesn't have any funds at all, we know that they will resort to desperate moves like borrowing money from others or selling whatever properties they have. So yes, this is actually saddening and that's the fact of gambling.