ODAAT Gambling Awareness

Nick shares his story of gambling addiction 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Nick’s story starts earlier than most. At just 9 years old, he fell in love with poker. By 15, he was already receiving thousands of dollars in winnings, gaining validation from family, and believing he had found his path. What started as a “strategy game” quickly became something much deeper. In this episode, Nick shares how early success, validation, and the illusion of control pulled him deeper into gambling. From winning over $100,000 online to eventually losing it all through sports betting and casino games, his story highlights how quickly things can spiral. The transition from poker player to full-blown gambling addiction didn’t happen overnight—but once it did, it changed everything. We break down the poker boom, the psychology behind early wins, and how boredom, isolation, and easy access to betting led to escalating behavior. This is a story about identity, ego, and the dangerous belief that you’re different from “other gamblers.” If you or someone you know is struggling, this conversation is meant to show that gambling addiction is real—but so is recovery. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Matt and Jack, the cofounders of Gamban, share their gambling addiction stories. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Gamban has just launched a new Discord platform for those looking to chat about gambling addiction and recovery in partnership with the CSGO team Ecstatic! Sign up here: https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch How does someone go from betting small amounts to losing thousands in minutes? In this interview with the co-founders of Gamban, we break down exactly how modern gambling products are designed to escalate behavior, increase spending, and keep people playing longer than they ever intended. The reality is that gambling today is fundamentally different from what it was even 20–30 years ago. With faster games, higher bet limits, and constant access through smartphones, people are experiencing more betting activity in a single session than previous generations did over weeks or months. As a result, people are hitting rock bottom faster, younger, and with far more financial and emotional damage. We also dive into one of the most controversial topics in the industry: “responsible gambling.” Is it actually helping people, or is it shifting the blame onto individuals while ignoring the design of the products themselves? The Gamban founders explain why this messaging can be stigmatizing, misleading, and ultimately ineffective at reducing harm. This conversation also explores the role of regulation, why gambling companies cannot realistically self-police, and how practices like advertising, bonus structures, and high-speed betting environments contribute directly to rising levels of addiction. If you’ve ever wondered why gambling feels harder to control than it should… or why so many people are struggling with it today… this interview breaks it down in a way that makes it impossible to ignore. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Vin shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY Vin didn’t start gambling as an addict. He started like most people do… casually. A day at the racetrack, a few bets, and then something happened that changes everything for so many people: he won. That first win didn’t just give him money, it gave him a feeling he had never experienced before. A rush. A high. A level of mental stimulation that completely consumed him. Within months, gambling wasn’t just something he did. It became something he needed. In this episode, Vin shares how he went from a high school English teacher with a stable life, a wife, and a newborn baby… to living a double life consumed by gambling addiction for seven straight years. He wasn’t just betting occasionally, he was gambling every single day. Horse racing, lottery, sports betting, bookies—anything he could find action on, he bet. And like so many people struggling with gambling addiction, it stopped being about winning or losing. It became about being in action. That constant cycle of anticipation, betting, and chasing the next moment slowly took over his entire life. From the outside, everything looked fine. He had a career, he built successful businesses, and he was providing for his family. But behind the scenes, he was lying constantly, sneaking around, and draining everything he built into his gambling habit. He describes it best himself: he was stealing from himself. The money didn’t go toward his future or his family, it went right back into the cycle. And the worst part? He knew early on that it was out of control. This wasn’t a slow decline—he recognized the madness almost immediately and still couldn’t stop. That’s the reality of gambling addiction. It doesn’t wait years to take hold. It can happen fast, and once it does, it rewires how you think, how you spend your time, and what you prioritize. In this conversation, we break down how early wins hook people, why gambling becomes about action instead of money, what it’s like living a double life, how addiction escalates across different forms of gambling, and the impact it has on family, relationships, and identity. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

We dive into the ways that big tech and big gamble are leveraging technology to maximize profit. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY Report link: https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/how-facebook-profits-from-predatory-casino-games Katie Paul is the Director of the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), an information and research hub for journalists, academics, policymakers, and members of the public interested in exploring the influence of the major technology platforms on politics, policy, and our lives. TTP is a research initiative of Campaign for Accountability (CfA), a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit watchdog organization that uses research, litigation, and aggressive communications to expose misconduct and malfeasance in public life. More info here: https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/about-us Someone lost over $200,000 on a “free-to-play” casino game on Facebook… and they never even had a chance to win money back. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Paul from the Tech Transparency Project to break down how social media platforms are quietly enabling gambling-like behavior through unregulated games, targeted ads, and addictive algorithms. We talk about: How “free-to-play” casino games actually make money Why these games can be just as addictive as real gambling How platforms like Facebook profit from user losses The disturbing reality of ads being approved for teens Why there’s almost no accountability in this space If you’ve ever thought social casino games were harmless… this conversation will change your perspective. This is bigger than gambling. This is about how technology is designed to keep you hooked. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Bryan shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Most people think gambling addiction looks obvious. It doesn’t. Bryan hid his addiction for nearly a decade while building what looked like a “perfect life” on the outside. Pharmacy school, a six-figure job, relationships, friends… but behind the scenes, everything was falling apart. In this episode of the One Day at a Time podcast, Bryan shares how gambling went from fun bets at 16 to constant, uncontrollable behavior fueled by apps, free bets, and nonstop access. We talk about: How easy it is to hide a gambling addiction The role of boredom and isolation How sportsbooks keep you playing (even when you're broke) The moment everything finally broke And what actually helped him get into recovery If you’ve ever thought “this couldn’t happen to me,” this story will challenge that. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Recovery is possible. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

TJ shares her gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban has just launched a new Discord platform for those looking to chat about gambling addiction and recovery in partnership with the CSGO team Ecstatic! Sign up here: https://discord.gg/mYJYCEN2ch About TJ: TJ is a human trafficking survivor, who describes her problem gambling as a means of coping with lifelong traumas. She uses “harm reduction” which she discusses with the ODAAT podcast, as someone diagnosed with Borderline Personality and PTSD who’s actively working on improving her quality of her life day by day. You can find her on TikTok https://tiktok.com/@djtjkeefer or you can email tabbythefreelancer@gmail.com to connect for networking purposes TJ placed her last bet yesterday. TJ opens up about the deeper reasons she was drawn to video lottery terminals, how quickly the habit escalated, and what she hopes life looks like a year from now. One of the most important parts of this conversation is that gambling harm is not just about losing everything financially. You can still have a job, a house, goals, school plans, and a future ahead of you and still be struggling badly with gambling. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Alex shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban is an awesome blocking software for your devices to get rid of access to gambling websites and apps. If you're struggling to stop gambling, this could be exactly what you need to help leave it behind for good: http://gamban.com/getapp Alex, a 29-year-old from Sydney, Australia, whose story is both confronting and deeply inspiring. After seven years of gambling, Alex’s addiction came to a head the day he was called into the office and placed under investigation for defrauding his employer. What he describes as the worst day of his life became the first day of his recovery. Alex shares how his journey began at 18 with his first experience in a casino. After losing money, he was initially turned off and walked away. But at 20, he was introduced to online sports betting — something that felt normal, accessible, and socially accepted. That’s when the hook set in. What started as casual betting slowly evolved into secrecy, shame, and decisions that would ultimately alter the course of his life. He speaks candidly about the pressures that fueled his addiction — the pressure to succeed, to meet expectations, and the constant need to feel in control. He reflects on the moment everything collapsed, the fear of losing his career and reputation, and the painful but necessary step of finally telling his loved ones the truth. For Alex, recovery didn’t begin with willpower — it began with honesty. Now in recovery, he shares how gambling wasn’t just a financial issue, but a mental and emotional battle rooted in identity, pride, and self-worth. His story is a powerful reminder that we are not defined by our worst decisions, but by how we choose to move forward. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Mariano shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Mariano is an English and Spanish teacher from Peru who struggled with gambling for 18 years and is now almost two years clean. His story starts where a lot of people don’t expect it to start: a free-to-play slot machine on a tablet when he was a teenager. From there it escalated into poker, then in-person slot rooms, then online casinos during the pandemic, and even crypto trading that turned into gambling behavior. Along the way, Mariano chased the same promise that traps so many people: the belief that this could be a way to make money, get ahead, and finally feel secure. But the reality hit hard. Mariano shares the moment he lost nearly everything trading Bitcoin, had a panic attack, fainted, and ended up in the hospital. He talks about discovering online slots, hitting a big win, and then falling into the brutal cycle of chasing—until he burned $3,000 in less than half an hour. He also tells the unbelievable moment he got caught playing online poker while teaching because he accidentally shared the wrong screen, and it cost him his job. This conversation is about more than losses. It’s about the psychology that keeps people trapped: chasing, desperation, boredom, the illusion of being the exception, and the false hope that the next hit will fix everything. Mariano explains what finally changed: accepting the truth that gambling isn’t a path forward, cutting off crypto because it was a gateway, and building a life with purpose, structure, and accountability—especially after realizing what he wanted to protect most: his future, his peace, and his family. If you’re in the middle of it right now and you feel like you can’t imagine life without gambling, listen closely to this one. Recovery is possible, even after years.

Chaz shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ About Chaz: Chaz Donati is a gambling awareness advocate, wannabe endurance athlete, living a simpler and healthier life after a 15 year battle with gambling addiction. He’s hopeful that by sharing his story, others won’t feel like they are alone in this fight. Follow along his personal physical / mental health challenges on Instagram at https://instagram.com/chazdonati What does it feel like to watch life-changing money turn into Monopoly dollars? In this episode, Rob sits down with Chaz Donati to unpack a sports betting addiction that escalated from small poker nights with friends into high-stakes online betting, bookies, loans, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers. Chaz shares how gambling started innocently with $20 poker games and fantasy football before evolving into constant sports betting action. What began as entertainment slowly turned into a second life built around studying lines, chasing losses, and believing that sports knowledge meant he could beat the system. Eventually the stakes exploded. After a major financial payout from company equity, Chaz suddenly had access to more money than ever before. Within months, hundreds of thousands of dollars flowed through his FanDuel account, and what should have been life-changing money began to feel like Monopoly money. In this conversation we discuss: • How early wins create the illusion that you can make money gambling • The dangerous cycle of loans, bookies, and chasing losses • How sports betting becomes a daily routine and mental obsession • The impact of gambling legalization and nonstop advertising • Why live betting makes losses spiral even faster • What recovery actually looks like, including counseling, self-exclusion, and rebuilding your life Chaz speaks openly about hitting a breaking point, losing nearly half a million dollars on FanDuel, and the long process of rebuilding after gambling addiction. Stories like this show how quickly gambling can escalate and how difficult it can be to walk away once it gets going

Jordan shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ Jordan Freeman is a 25-year-old recovery advocate, speaker, and founder of Blueprint Recovery Coaching. He is approaching five years free from gambling and now supports young adults and families navigating gambling and substance use recovery. Jordan is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work at NYU and trains clinically at a specialized gambling disorder clinic, where he works with individuals struggling with behavioral addiction. He is passionate about helping others rebuild their lives with structure, accountability, and long-term purpose. Gambling didn't start for Jordan in a casino. It started in a basement. Ping pong. Pop-a-shot. Video games. Sleepovers where everyone kept tabs on who owed who money. It looked harmless, even normal, but the pattern was already there: needing something on the line, chasing the rush, and feeling that adrenaline hit even as a kid. In this episode, Jordan Freeman shares how those early wagers turned into sports betting in high school, then escalated in college where gambling culture was everywhere. Straight bets turned into parlays, player props, and eventually online blackjack and live betting because waiting for results started to feel unbearable. What began as social turned into something secret. And once it became secret, it got even more dangerous.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Paul shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/livestreams-community-building/ About Paul: He had a gambling addiction for 11 years and has been just over 3 years gamble free. Paul now advocates for awareness within Nuerodivergence, Gambling and Young People and highlighting the need that starting the conversation may not mean that person needs professional help. He also went on a weight loss journey at the same time, and lost 55kg naturally in 2 years, feel free to follow him on social media using the following links. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashi5293?igsh=MXV0anV6ODNtY3FtcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Ncn48xtqy/?mibextid=wwXIfr This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Samantha shares her story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com In this episode, we’re looking at a side of gambling that usually gets a pass because it’s hidden behind stock charts and financial jargon: day trading. While it's often marketed as a career move, for many families, it turns into a nightmare of secrecy and broken trust. I’m joined by Samantha, who knows this cycle all too well. As the former partner of a day trading addict, she’s now using her experience to help other loved ones of traders realize they aren’t crazy for what they’re seeing and feeling. Samantha gets honest about why it’s so hard for partners of trading addicts to get help when society doesn’t always call trading what it actually is--gambling. Samantha’s message is clear: it’s time to stop doubting yourself, trust your gut and start protecting your own financial future. What we cover in this talk: The red flags: Three specific signs that trading has turned into a serious gambling problem Why your intuition about your partner's financial secrecy is right: How to handle the confusion when the financial stories you’re told don’t match the reality of your bank account Opening up to your network: Why talking to your friends and family is the first step in breaking the shame and getting your life back If you’ve been feeling lost, confused, or alone because of your partner’s trading, please listen to this. Connect with Samantha on TikTok where she shares resources for partners of trading and sports betting addicts: https://tiktok.com/@friendyoucallatmidnight🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Janelle shares her gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com About Janelle: I started gambling at the age of 10 years old and by the time I was in high school I was a full blow gambling addict. By the time I was in my early 20’s I was living in Las Vegas addicted to stimulants and gambling every dollar I had while working as a chef on the Las Vegas strip. As life went on the drugs and the alcohol faded but the addiction to gambling never went away. Today I sleep much better having gotten therapy and developing coping skills to help ease the day to day urges! Janelle’s story is one of the clearest examples of how early gambling exposure can turn into a lifelong battle. She placed her first bets at 10 years old, and by middle school she was gambling every day after school. By high school, she describes being fully addicted—chasing the rush, needing to stay in the game, and finding ways to get money just to keep playing. In this episode, we talk about how gambling became an escape from depression, how wins warped her relationship with money, and how the addiction slowly turned “borrowing” into stealing. She opens up about taking money from her mom’s safe as a teenager, the mental gymnastics that convinced her she’d win it back, and how lying and manipulation can feel invisible when you’re trapped in the cycle. We also get into why certain environments make gambling feel unavoidable: growing up near Atlantic City, living in Las Vegas where machines are everywhere, and later moving home and discovering Pennsylvania skill machines—where you can gamble for hours in everyday locations like bars, gas stations, and convenience spots with almost no social friction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

LJ lost millions to gambling addiction. From VIP casino treatment to rock bottom, this is his unfiltered story of how gambling nearly cost him everything—including his life. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatment center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Nothing took his soul like gambling did. In this episode, LJ comes back on the podcast to share some of his craziest gambling addiction stories from years of high-stakes sports betting, casino gambling, and the brutal cycle of chasing losses. You’ll hear how casino comps and a host relationship made the addiction feel free and glamorous at first, how easy it is to fall into bigger bets when you have access to money, and how quickly entertainment turns into financial holes, lies, debt, and desperation. LJ breaks down the mindset that keeps a compulsive gambler trapped: the belief that the only way out is to keep gambling, win it back, and fix everything. We talk about the 50k weekend that disappeared in a single night, the insane rush of turning 600 into 35k at 5AM, and why that high doesn’t save you, it resets the goalpost. We also get into superstition, sleep deprivation, and the way gambling hijacks your brain until normal life feels flat, dull, and pointless.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Justin E shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatement center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Justin E has 17 years clean from drugs and alcohol, and over 4 years clean from gambling. In this episode, he breaks down something most people never get warned about: cross-addiction, and how the same disease can quietly change costumes. He explains how gambling didn’t start as desperation for him. It started as something innocent, a pastime, a familiar environment he told himself he could control. Then it escalated. Poker turned into higher-action games. Casinos turned into routine. And the first real red flag wasn’t a massive financial loss… it was a lie. That’s the moment Justin knew the pattern was back. Not because he was evil or broken, but because addiction always drifts toward secrecy, isolation, and rationalization. He talks about the mental battle on the drive to the casino, why the atmosphere pulls you in, and how online poker (especially on your phone) can accelerate the spiral in a way people underestimate. We also dig into why GA stories can feel darker than other rooms, why meeting attendance is a non-negotiable for so many people, and the idea that recovery has no true plateau: you’re either progressing or drifting back toward old behaviors. Justin makes a powerful case for honesty, daily self-audit, and building structured recovery into your routine so that gambling doesn’t become the substitute that sneaks in after you “beat” something else.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Jeff shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Right Choice Recovery is a family owned and operated treatement center in New Jersey specializing in helping those struggling to stop gambling. I have partnered with them because I believe they genuinely care about the people who come through their program, and I don't know anyone better to help you find recovery from this disease Check out their program at: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Interested in joining Jeff's group? Send an email to: joinus@dcgp.org Jeff Wasserman is a former practicing attorney who has faced and addressed gambling addiction, leading him to a path of recovery and service. Today, he uses that lived experience to help others find hope and healing. He is the Judicial Outreach and Development Director for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, raising awareness of gambling addiction among judges, lawyers, and others in the legal system. Jeff earned certifications as an International Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) and Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS). In 2019, he founded the Problem Gambling Support Group (PGSG), a peer-led online community that offers daily recovery meetings and provides vital support for young people navigating gambling harm in today’s pervasive gambling culture. Jeff has been a presenter or keynote speaker for the Arizona Department of Gaming, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, Montana State Bar Association, the National Council on Problem Gambling, the American Bar Association, the Delaware State Bar Association, and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. His insights have been featured by NPR, Reuters, NBC News, and local television and radio outlets in the Wilmington and Philadelphia areas. He also co-hosts All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast. Jeff shares how his gambling started casually at Belmont Park, escalated through law school trips to Atlantic City, and eventually shifted from social blackjack to the high-limit slot room for one reason: escape. We talk about the mental “zone,” why shame makes people hide, how addiction can override logic (even for a lawyer), and why comparing your losses to someone else’s is one of the biggest traps that keeps people from getting help.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Jodie shares her story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban is an awesome blocking software for your devices to get rid of access to gambling websites and apps. If you're struggling to stop gambling, this could be exactly what you need to help leave it behind for good: http://gamban.com/getapp Gambling addiction is called the hidden addiction for a reason. In this episode, Jodie N shares how a few casino visits turned into a full-blown slot machine addiction that escalated fast, destroyed finances, and led to losing a career, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and eventually serving 602 days in state prison. We talk about the moment that changed everything, why winning early can be the most dangerous outcome, how addiction fuels secrecy and distorted thinking, and what it feels like to hit the desperation stage where money becomes the drug. Jodie also explains what helped her stop gambling before incarceration, how she stayed in recovery while in prison, and what rebuilding life looked like after release. This conversation also goes deeper into purpose after addiction, what recovery can look like years later, and why gambling harm is growing across the U.S. with expansion and nonstop advertising. If you or someone you love is struggling, this story is proof that recovery is possible, and that you’re not alone. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

On today’s episode, reporter and author Danny Funt joins the show to discuss his new book, Everybody Loses, which uncovers the realities of sports betting in America—including a story that hits close to home for me. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY About Danny: Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at The Washington Post. His reporting has also appeared in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and the Columbia Journalism Review. He previously worked as an editor at The Week magazine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia Journalism School, he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and son. Book Link: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Everybody-Loses/Danny-Funt/9781668062043 You will hear how sportsbooks and leagues sold the public on a story about safety and integrity, while building a system that rewards constant play, pushes misleading marketing, and treats the biggest losers as the most valuable customers. Danny shares what he learned from people inside the industry, including how VIP programs work, why meaningful guardrails get blocked the moment they threaten revenue, and why self-policing fails when the incentives are upside down. We also get into the ripple effects on sports itself: athletes and coaches getting flooded with abuse and threats after games, fans burning out on watching unless they have money on the line, and a whole generation learning that placing bets is just part of being a sports fan. Finally, Danny explains where this is headed next, including the bigger push for online casino and the rise of microbetting designed to keep you locked into your phone every few minutes. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction.🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Randy L shares how gambling addiction cost him businesses, money, and nearly his life. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban is an awesome blocking software for your devices to get rid of access to gambling websites and apps. If you're struggling to stop gambling, this could be exactly what you need to help leave it behind for good: http://gamban.com/getapp Randy thought gambling could fix his financial stress, but it nearly took his life. In this episode, he opens up about a 10–11 year gambling addiction that escalated from casual casino trips to high-stakes baccarat, online casino apps, and desperate sports bets. At his lowest point, he took out a personal loan to pay debt… then used most of it at the casino and lost it within two days. He describes the warped value of money, the chase, the superstitions, the comps, the binge cycles, and the brutal reality of going from winning five figures to walking out with nothing. We break down what baccarat is, why it feels like you can “figure it out,” and how the casino environment keeps people trapped. Randy also talks about the moment he realized he was out of control, the last bets he made, and what the first months of recovery really looked like: staying busy, working multiple jobs, rebuilding one brick at a time, and learning to value money again. From beginner’s luck to baccarat, debt, and rock bottom, this episode breaks down how fast gambling can spiral and what it took to finally walk away. This channel is dedicated to spreading awareness about gambling addiction and helping individuals better understand the risks of excessive gambling. Through powerful storytelling, educational content, and real-life experiences, we aim to shine a light on the dangers of gambling and provide tools for recovery. Whether you're seeking help, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to learn more, our mission is to create a safe space for open conversations about gambling addiction. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Melissa shares her story as someone impacted by the gambling addiction of her partner. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Gamban is an awesome blocking software for your devices to get rid of access to gambling websites and apps. If you're struggling to stop gambling, this could be exactly what you need to help leave it behind for good: http://gamban.com/getapp In this video, I interview Melissa, who shares her personal journey of being married to someone whose gambling addiction profoundly affected her life. Melissa raises awareness about the devastating impact gambling addiction can have on families and relationships. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, this conversation offers insight, understanding, and support. 🎧 Listen to Melissa’s podcast, Making Bets in a Burning House, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CqXAxF1psNelUbx2qNSaa?si=1d9b581c898e4f60 In this episode, Melissa shares what it’s really like to love someone with a gambling addiction and how it impacts money, trust, safety, and your sense of stability. Her story is unique because she was affected by the gambling of both her ex-husband and her current husband, and she explains how quickly it can escalate from seemingly harmless sports betting into secrecy, debt, hidden loans, and fear about paying bills. We talk about why family members often stay silent, how shame and stigma keep people from getting help, and the empathy gap that can form between gamblers and the people they hurt. Melissa also breaks down what Gam-Anon is (a 12-step fellowship for the family and friends of compulsive gamblers), what it teaches, and why it is not a place to attack the gambler, but a place to rebuild yourself through boundaries, support, and clarity. 🙏🏻 Recovery Resources: https://odaatgamblingawareness.com/resources 👀 Do you have a gambling addiction? Watch this to find out: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPmaejpuzCcnfWaFOaPt2mSu&si=_pg9d3S7ddsnX-xb 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 🧐 Recently Relapse? Watch This: https://youtu.be/QB2eJmU86Bk?si=vsTdyeXYhO4Kj1qz 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1