ODAAT Gambling Awareness

Aaron shares the truth about fantasy sports and gambling statistics 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/NurCWVRYVEY?si=zzmegEOfNIxqmomg 🙌 Thanks to Gamban for sponsoring today's video. If you want to block gambling sites and apps on your devices check out https://gamban.com Can you actually beat sports betting if you know the stats better than everyone else? Today’s guest is Aaron, a statistician and former intern for the St. Louis Cardinals organization, who spent nearly two decades obsessed with fantasy baseball. What started as a passion for analytics and baseball slowly became an unhealthy obsession rooted in control, prediction, and the belief that if he worked hard enough, he could outsmart the system. In this conversation, Aaron breaks down the psychology behind fantasy sports, daily fantasy betting, and modern sports gambling from the perspective of someone who deeply understands statistics. We talk about variance, unpredictability, why sportsbooks are nearly impossible to beat long term, and how gambling companies use the illusion of skill to pull people in. Aaron also shares how fantasy baseball mirrored many of the same emotional highs and lows seen in gambling addiction — the obsession, the rage, the feeling that every loss was personal, and the belief that the next prediction would finally prove you were smarter than everyone else. We also dive into: Why sports are far more random than people think The dangers of microbetting and pitch-by-pitch wagering Why daily fantasy sports feels more like gambling than skill How modern sportsbooks use massive amounts of data and AI Why young sports fans are especially vulnerable today The illusion that “doing more research” guarantees profit How sports betting companies profit off false confidence If you’ve ever believed you could outsmart the books, this conversation is worth hearing. 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. 🙏🏻 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

Online blackjack took over Zel's life, pushed him to the edge, and nearly ended his life. 🤝 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 This is a real story of how gambling addiction quietly takes over—and how quickly it can spiral out of control. In this episode, Zel shares his journey from playing poker as a kid to betting $1,000+ per hand on online blackjack, losing control, and facing the darkest moments of his life. What started as harmless entertainment turned into a cycle of chasing losses, emotional highs and lows, and eventually severe mental health struggles. Within just weeks, Zel went from casual online gambling to losing thousands of dollars, maxing out accounts, and experiencing suicidal thoughts—all while trying to hide it from the people around him. We break down how online casinos and easy access to gambling in places like New Jersey can accelerate addiction, the psychology behind chasing losses, and why even winning doesn’t fix the problem. 🙏🏻 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

Brian shares some insights from his work as a gambling journalist 🤝 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/ Online gambling, sports betting, prediction markets, and casino apps are expanding faster than most people realize. In this conversation, I sit down with Brian Pempus, founder of GamblingHarm.org, to talk about how the gambling industry has changed, how sports betting apps are being marketed, and why gambling harm is becoming harder to ignore. We talk about prediction markets, self-exclusion failures, sportsbook fines, gambling ads, celebrity endorsements, microbetting, DK Replay, and why so many gambling companies hide behind the phrase “we’re regulated” while the harm continues to grow. Brian also breaks down recent data showing more online sports bettors chasing losses, feeling shame after betting, and experiencing warning signs connected to gambling disorder. This episode is not just about individual addiction stories. It is about the system around gambling: the companies, the regulators, the advertising, the technology, and the incentives that keep pushing people back toward the next bet. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, you are not alone. 🙏🏻 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

Ted shares his gambling addiction story 🤝 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 About Ted: Mr. Hartwell holds an M.A. in Anthropology from Texas Tech University and in 2023 retired from a 32-year position on the research faculty of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) of the Nevada System of Higher Education to serve as the Executive Director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling (NVCPG), and later its Director of Storytelling. He recently resigned from the NVCPG to explore other advocacy opportunities. As a person in long-term recovery from a serious gambling addiction, he has promoted awareness, prevention, and treatment of problem gambling for over 15 years. Ted shares how his relationship with gambling shifted over time, how moving to Las Vegas intensified everything, and how machine gambling became an escape from real life. And eventually, it led to lying, hidden debt, and a double life. This conversation dives deep into the psychology of gambling addiction—the mental gymnastics, the denial, the rationalization—and the moment everything starts to unravel. Ted opens up about hiding his addiction from his family, the impact it had on his relationships, and the turning point that finally pushed him to seek real help. Now 18+ years in recovery, he shares what actually worked, what didn’t, and what people get wrong about quitting. 🙏🏻 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

Tom shares his experience with addiction. 🤝 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 About Tom: Tom is a social entrepreneur building a conscious alternative to existing sports betting apps. Tom didn’t just struggle with addiction… he helped build the very industry that fuels it. From creating early sports gaming products to raising millions of dollars and chasing success, his journey shows how deeply embedded the profit motive is inside the gambling ecosystem—and what that does to the people inside it. What started as ambition turned into pressure. Pressure turned into coping. And coping turned into addiction. In this episode, we break down how the gambling industry is designed, why “maximizing shareholder value” drives everything, and how that leads to real human consequences. Patrick opens up about alcoholism, hitting rock bottom, and the moment everything collapsed. But this isn’t just a story about addiction. It’s about awareness, accountability, and what happens when someone on the inside wakes up. If you’ve ever wondered why gambling feels so hard to escape… this conversation explains it. If this message resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to help spread awareness that gambling addiction is real—but 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

We go through what to do with your finances in gambling addiction recovery 🤝 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 About Patrick: Patrick is a CFP® Professional and the founder of Noor Financial Services. With 8 years in financial planning, his passion lies in helping young professionals simplify their finances and confidently work toward their goals. Gambling addiction doesn’t just affect your habits — it completely reshapes your financial life. In this conversation with a financial planner, we break down the real difference between gambling and investing, why the idea of “one big win” keeps people stuck, and what actually works if you’re trying to rebuild after gambling losses. If you’ve ever felt like sports betting, crypto, or day trading might be a way out… this video will challenge that thinking. Because while gambling can feel strategic, the reality is that the system is built for you to lose — and chasing losses only makes the hole deeper. We also go step-by-step through practical tools to help you recover financially after gambling. From budgeting and building awareness, to adding friction by deleting apps and self-excluding, to proven debt payoff strategies like the snowball and avalanche methods — this is a real plan you can start today. If you’re currently struggling, this video is for you. And if you’ve already quit, this will help you rebuild your life the right way — slowly, sustainably, and without relying on luck. Gambling addiction is real. Recovery is possible. And it starts with changing how you think about money. 🙏🏻 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

Cade shares his story of gambling addiction and recovery 🤝 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/ Cade’s story is one of the most powerful examples of how fast a gambling problem can escalate when left unchecked. What started as casual gambling in college quickly turned into something much darker. Over time, what felt like harmless fun became a daily habit, then a financial strategy, and eventually a full-blown addiction that took control of his life. As Cade climbed the ranks in his banking career, the pressure to succeed and “keep up” financially only intensified the problem. What began as occasional gambling turned into gambling during work hours, chasing losses, and using money meant for basic necessities just to try to stay afloat. Like many people struggling with gambling, he believed he could fix everything with one big win. But that moment never came. Instead, the situation escalated to a breaking point where desperation took over. Cade made a decision that would change his life forever—embezzling money from the bank he worked at. What followed was fear, anxiety, legal consequences, and the realization that gambling had completely taken control. This video breaks down how gambling addiction progresses, how quickly it can spiral, and the real-life consequences that most people never see. But more importantly, it shows that even after hitting rock bottom, recovery is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you are not alone. There is help available, and there is a way out. 🙏🏻 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

Shreya asks me questions about my 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/ Behind the scenes of this vid: https://www.tiktok.com/@shreyanator/video/7612876692402523405 What does gambling addiction actually look like day-to-day? In this episode of the One Day at a Time Gambling Addiction Podcast, I flip the script. Instead of interviewing someone else, my girlfriend Shreya interviews me about my own experience with gambling addiction. We break down what a typical day looked like when I was at my worst—waking up already thinking about bets, chasing losses from the night before, gambling all day across sports, casino games, and even the stock market. This wasn’t just occasional betting. This was a 6-year addiction that took over my time, my thoughts, and my life. We also talk about the lies I told myself to keep going, why winning actually made things worse, and how gambling slowly shifts from something you want to do… into something you feel like you need just to function. You’ll hear real stories, including rock bottom moments, losing control even when ahead, and the moment I realized that every win was just a future loss. If you’ve ever struggled with gambling, sports betting, casino apps, or even just feel like it’s becoming too important in your life, this conversation will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface.🙏🏻 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

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 [email protected] 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: [email protected] 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

Scott Meyer 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 Scott Meyer shares one of the most powerful gambling addiction recovery stories you’ll ever hear. From running a successful accounting firm and raising five children to offshore online casino gambling, financial collapse, prison, and multiple suicide attempts, Scott’s story exposes the real harm caused by gambling addiction. In this episode of the One Day at a Time Gambling Addiction Podcast, Scott explains how casino inducements, online gambling access, and digital slot machines fueled years of destructive behavior. He breaks down how gambling addiction rewires the brain, why intelligence and financial knowledge don’t protect you, and how shame, isolation, and secrecy nearly cost him his life. Today, Scott is in long-term recovery and works as a peer recovery coach helping others struggling with gambling harm. This conversation covers gambling addiction, online casinos, sports betting parallels, recovery, prison, family impact, mental health, and why gambling addiction is not a financial problem but a behavioral one. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, this story could be the wake-up call that saves a life. 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

Owen shares how his gambling streaming led to a gambling addiction 🤝 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 streamers often start out believing they’re in control. Many begin by gambling casually on stream for entertainment, sponsorship obligations, or audience engagement. But streaming changes the relationship with gambling in dangerous ways. When money is flowing in from sponsorships, affiliate deals, and viewer donations, losses feel abstract. The stakes get higher, sessions get longer, and gambling becomes tied to identity, income, and validation. The constant pressure to be entertaining pushes streamers toward bigger bets and riskier behavior. Wins are clipped, shared, and celebrated. Losses are normalized, reframed as content, or justified by future wins. Over time, this creates the same psychological traps seen in any gambling addiction: chasing losses, distorted thinking, emotional dependence, and loss of control. What makes streamers especially vulnerable is the feedback loop. Viewers cheer risk-taking. Algorithms reward extreme behavior. Sponsorships often incentivize volume, not health. Eventually, gambling stops being something they do and becomes something they must do to maintain relevance, income, and self-worth. Many gambling streamers don’t realize they’ve developed an addiction until the stream turns off and the money, control, or mental health is gone. What looks like entertainment on screen is often addiction quietly unfolding in real time. 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

Tracy M shares her gambling addiction story 🤝 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 Tracy M shares one of the most powerful gambling addiction recovery stories you will ever hear. After gambling for more than 40 years, Tracy’s addiction led to multiple nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts, and ultimately seven strokes that left her unable to walk or speak for over a year.🙏🏻 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

John Schmidt shares his incredible gambling addiction story 🤝 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 doesn’t just take money. It takes time, sleep, attention, self-respect, and eventually it can take your entire life off track. And when it gets severe, it doesn’t stay contained to casinos or apps. It spreads into your relationships, your work, your identity, and your decision-making. Today’s guest is John Schmidt, Director of Youth Prevention Services for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems. John shares the full story of how early exposure to gambling in childhood, sports betting as a way to bond with his dad, and the slow normalization of risk escalated into a full-blown addiction. What starts as habits and “homework” turns into obsession, chasing losses, and living inside gambling logic where every problem feels solvable with one more bet.🙏🏻 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

I interview Matthew Litt, a lawyer who represents gambling addiction clients against the gambling industry. 🤝 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 Matthew Litt's Information: Matthew Litt has dedicated nearly his entire legal practice to challenging the predatory practices of casinos. He’s appeared on The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper, ABC Nightly News with DeMarco Morgan, and Vice TV’s Out of Bounds, and has provided testimony to the state legislatures in Minnesota, Hawaii, Georgia, and Nebraska discussing predatory gambling issues with a focus on problems relating to VIP programs and VIP hosts. Learn more about Matthew on his website www.BettorLawyers.com. Casinos aren’t just offering entertainment — they’re building real-time systems designed to keep people gambling long after they want to stop. In this episode, attorney Matthew Litt breaks down the predatory tactics used by VIP hosts, “free bets,” deposit matches, and targeted inducements that keep addicted gamblers hooked. We talk about how the definition of a “whale” has changed, why responsible gambling messaging fails, how VIP hosts fuel addiction in real time, and what it takes to build a legal case against a casino. Matt shares the inside details of major lawsuits, the evolution of gambling laws, and the truth about why public policy is so far behind the science. If you or someone you love has been impacted by gambling addiction, this conversation will help you understand the industry’s tactics — and why so many people get trapped. Let’s keep bringing the truth into the light, one day at a time. 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Harj from @SochTalksPod shares his gambling addiction story. 🤝 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 Harj grew up in a South Asian household where success meant a prestigious degree, a big job, a German car, and a family by 30. After selling a student social media startup, he suddenly had more money than anyone around him – and a front row seat to extreme wealth. That glimpse of “the next tier” helped pull him into the casino, the bookies, and eventually into a full-blown gambling addiction. In this episode, Harj shares how a £20 night out win spiraled into nearly £100,000 lost in 12 months, years of secret gambling, and more than £250,000 of hidden debt that his wife eventually uncovered on his phone. He talks about gambling in toilets at work, manipulating friends and family for money, and the suicide attempt that left his car destroyed but him somehow alive – and how three words from his young son became the turning point. We dive into the shame and stigma in South Asian communities, why men struggle to open up, and how Harj rebuilt his life, paid off his debts, and found a new purpose helping underrepresented communities talk about gambling and addiction. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living a double life or chasing one big win to fix everything, this conversation is for you. 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Christina interviews Josh about his gambling addiction story! 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY In this powerful and emotional episode, Christina from Broke Girl steps in to guest host for Rob on the One Day at a Time Gambling Awareness channel — and she brings a deeply meaningful conversation with her friend Josh. Josh began gambling at just 16 years old, growing up in Oklahoma where casinos line the highways and slot machines feel like a normal part of life. What started as entertainment quickly escalated into a full-blown addiction. By his mid-20s, Josh had experienced financial devastation, homelessness, and the crushing shame that comes with gambling harm. At one point, he was secretly living inside the warehouse of his corporate job, sleeping under his desk at night and pretending everything was fine during the day. Josh opens up about how stigma — especially among young men — keeps so many people from asking for help. He also shares how being part of the queer community shaped the way he viewed success, identity, and perfection, making it even harder to admit he was struggling. But everything began to change when one coworker discovered the truth and showed him compassion instead of judgment. That moment of connection became the beginning of his recovery journey. Today, Josh has over four years free from gambling. He moved across the country to New York, rebuilt his life, developed new passions, and recently got engaged — something he once believed he didn’t deserve. 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. 🙏🏻 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Kiki shares her brave story of recovery from both gambling and cocaine addiction. 🤝 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 When Kiki used cocaine, she had to gamble. Scratch cards, online bingo, slots – it didn’t matter, as long as it shut her brain off. What started as a way to escape pain turned into a devastating cross addiction to gambling and cocaine that nearly cost her life. In this episode, Kiki shares how her gambling began at 16 with scratch cards, escalated after a miscarriage into online bingo and high-speed slot games, and eventually left her isolated in a dark room, pawning her belongings, borrowing and stealing money, and living on one meal a day. She talks about sitting at a train station planning to end her life, the letters she wrote to the train driver and passengers, and the moment she decided to call GamCare instead. Kiki also opens up about rebuilding the relationship with her daughter, going through rehab at Parkland Place in Wales, joining Gamblers Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous, and finding support through Bet No More and Epic Restart Foundation. Today, she’s 17 months clean from both gambling and cocaine, working as a peer mentor and speaker, and fighting to bring more ethnic minorities – especially Black women – into gambling recovery spaces that often don’t reflect their experiences. If you’re struggling with gambling, cocaine, or both, you are not alone. Recovery is possible and you deserve help. 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Mark K about his gambling harm story and the work that he's doing to help others still struggling. 🤝 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 About Mark: my name is Mark Kempster and I am a recovering gambling addict and now passionate gambling reform advocate here in Australia. I went through a 10yr addiction throughout my 20's and early 30's and loss around 100k across that time. I now work with the Alliance for Gambling Reform here in Australia and am part of a national campaign to get gambling advertising banned here in Australia. Link: https://www.agr.org.au/ Mark grew up as a fun-loving, sporty kid in Australia. By his early 30s, he felt like a broken shell of a person, lucky to still be alive. What happened in between was a decade-long gambling addiction fueled by sports betting, horse racing, and an Australian culture where having a beer and a bet after the game felt completely normal. In this episode, Mark shares how he started betting around 16 in local footy clubs, how sports betting apps exploded in Australia in the late 2000s, and how having “a bookie in his pocket” turned $10 pub bets into an addiction that cost him over $100,000. He talks about waking up and checking his bets before saying good morning, gambling all day at work on his phone, being bombarded with gambling ads and inducements, and becoming an angry, distant, dishonest version of himself. Mark also opens up about missing the first two years of his son’s life mentally, the Cox Plate and AFL grand final day where he lost $3,000 chasing losses, and the next morning when his partner discovered his betting history on their son’s second birthday. That intervention forced his secret into the light and became the catalyst for change. Today, Mark is five years clean from gambling. He’s working with the Alliance for Gambling Reform, speaking out about Australia’s predatory gambling advertising, VIP schemes, bonus bets, and why this should be treated like cigarettes and alcohol: as a serious public health issue. If you’re in the middle of a sports betting spiral—or you love someone who is—this conversation will show you you’re not alone, and that recovery is possible. 🙏🏻 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Lisa Walker about her gambling addiction story. 🤝 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 Lisa's Link to New Beginnings: https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/support-information/new-beginnings When Lisa Walker hit a royal flush and won over £127,000 in a UK casino, everyone told her it would be life changing. They were right, but not in the way anyone expected. That jackpot pulled her into a 16 year gambling addiction that took her house, her savings, and left her homeless with her two children. In this powerful conversation, Lisa shares how early arcade games and fruit machines as a child set the stage, how fixed-odds betting terminals and trips to Las Vegas accelerated the spiral, and what it felt like to lose roughly half a million pounds over the years. She talks about the shame, secrecy, and stigma women face around gambling, why she felt ignored when she asked for help, and the day she finally walked into Gamblers Anonymous on April 2, 2018 and everything changed. Today Lisa works with Bet No More UK and runs New Beginnings, a women-only program supporting both people with gambling problems and those affected by someone else’s gambling. We discuss online gambling in the UK, aggressive advertising, why women are gambling more in secret, and what needs to change. If you are chasing losses, hiding bets, or supporting someone who is, this episode is for you. Check the description for links to New Beginnings and other support options in the UK, US, and beyond. 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview The Gambler's Wife about her story as an affected other of her husband's gambling addiction.🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNYAbout The Gambler’s Wife: I help spouses and parents recover from financial betrayal caused by gambling addictions. Through honest storytelling, support sessions, and a guidebook for financial betrayal recovery, I provide practical guidance and a community for those navigating the fallout and reclaiming their lives.HerLinks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegamblerwifeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegamblerwife8Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578178348272Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegamblerwifeEmail: [email protected] Store (where you can purchase the guidebook and book financial betrayal support sessions): https://stan.store/thegamblerwifeThe gambling addict is affected, but the toll on the spouse and family is devastating. In this episode, I sit down with The Gambler Wife, a content creator and wife of a recovering gambling addict, whose marriage has broken down and is now heading for divorce after years of hidden gambling and financial betrayal. She shares how she discovered tens of thousands of dollars in secret debt, a cashed-out 401k, a hidden home equity loan, and even a bank account and credit card opened in their four-year-old son’s name. Overnight, she had to become a private investigator, accountant, therapist, and full-time mom — while her world was collapsing. We talk about the trauma of financial betrayal, what it really feels like to take over the finances and become the “bad guy,” the pressure of co-parenting with someone who lied and hid debt, and why she says the financial betrayal hurt even more than infidelity. She also explains why she chose to start sharing her story online, the lack of support and clear guidance for affected others, and the financial betrayal support guide she created so other spouses do not have to navigate this alone. If you are the partner or family member of someone with a gambling problem, or you are the gambler who has hurt someone you love, this conversation is for you.🙏🏻 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

I interview Uri E about his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 check out Right Choice Recovery if you need gambling addiction treatmet today! Https:/.rightchoicerecoverynj.com He hit a six-leg parlay at 13 years old and thought he’d found the cheat code to life. Instead, it became a death sentence for his finances, his mental health, and nearly his family. In this episode of the One Day at a Time Gambling Addiction Podcast, Uri shares how a “fun” high school habit in Canada turned into years of chasing parlays, live-betting every game, and eventually losing and winning six figures in a single night on online blackjack and slots. He talks about VIP treatment from DraftKings and FanDuel, free $5,000 reloads every Monday, and what it’s really like to be gambling in the shower, on the highway, and every spare second of the day. Uri also opens up about the moment he knew he couldn’t keep going: maxed-out cards, broken promises to his wife, screaming at his kids after all-night gambling sessions, and the crushing shame of watching his family suffer while he kept chasing losses. He walks us through coming clean to his wife, inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment at Right Choice Recovery in New Jersey, going to his first Gamblers Anonymous meeting, and why deleting the apps, installing blocking software, and self-excluding were non-negotiable steps in his recovery. If you’re struggling with sports betting, online casino, or slots, this story is for you. You are not alone, there is real help out there, and life can get better one day at a time. ⸻ 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Kate S about her gambling harm story. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 If you're struggling with finances because of a gambling addiction, see if you qualify for free financial counseling through Gamfin: https://gamfin.org/rob Kate grew up in Sydney and first encountered poker machines in everyday social venues, not casinos. A few early wins lit the fuse. Years later, after moving to Canberra, a chance visit to a club while pregnant re-triggered everything during a perfect storm of stress. She burned through $30,000 in a month—money meant to start building the family’s first home. In this conversation, Kate describes the mental torture of preoccupation, why it felt impossible to “just stop,” and how shame was weaponized against her. We unpack the design of pokies and slots, losses disguised as wins, and the illusion of control. We also zoom out to Australia’s massive per-capita losses and the social costs, including crime and intergenerational harm. Her turning point came in 2012 after a life-or-death crisis and a conversation with her child that reconnected her to hope and humanity. From there, Kate rebuilt, became a recovery coach, wrote I Bet I Can Change Your Mind, and launched The Hope Project to educate schools, workplaces, and communities about gambling harm as a public-health issue. If you or someone you love is stuck, you are not broken. This happened to you—and help, truth, and recovery are real. Kate's Resources mentioned: • Kate’s book: I Bet I Can Change Your Mind • The Hope Project (and book link): thehopeprojectaustralia.com.au

I interview @NothingsOffTheTable about his gambling addiction story. 🤝 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 LJ’s story is what compulsive gambling really looks like: early wins, escalating bets, and a life shrinking to debt, lies, and desperation. He went from turning $200 into $9,000 at 15 to losing hundreds of thousands and still owing hundreds of thousands more. When he lost, there was no way to pay unless he was robbing someone, stealing, or inventing stories to get cash. Each relapse pushed him closer to prison, insanity, and death. In this episode, LJ breaks down sports betting with bookies, hiding addiction behind success, cocaine-fueled gambling binges, a newborn he couldn’t be present for, and the Thanksgiving week when suicidal thoughts forced honesty. Then the rebuild: Gamblers Anonymous, a pressure relief group, 90-day moratoriums, payment plans, lifetime self-exclusion, financial transparency with his fiancée, and finding purpose through service and a recovery podcast. If you think you’re the “exception” who wins, listen to why compulsive gamblers always lose—and how recovery makes life stable again. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER (US) or your local helpline. 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 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Kitty Martz about her gambling addiction story. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Check out Right Choice Recovery: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Right Choice Recovery Center in Dayton, NJ, is a licensed addiction treatment center offering evidence-based treatment for substance use, alcohol addiction, as well as compulsive gambling. Our clinical team specializes in dual diagnosis care, addressing mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD alongside addiction. We provide intensive recovery programs, with treatment tailored to individual needs. Right Choice Recovery accepts most major insurance plans and is licensed with the state of NJ and also holds a JCAHO accreditation, ensuring accessible, confidential, and comprehensive care across New Jersey. Gambling is being reshaped by phones, prediction markets, and personalized ads—and the harm is scaling with it. In this episode, Rob talks with Kitty Martz, Executive Director of Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery (Oregon), about where gambling is headed and who is most at risk. We dig into the always-on nature of mobile betting, how operators frame “it’s on the player,” why regulation and consumer protections matter, and the social costs communities already feel. Kitty shares why women’s experiences can be different (unpaid labor, safety, accessibility at home), how AI-driven targeting and loot boxes hook users, and why “responsible gambling” means different things for players, operators, and regulators. If you care about prevention, policy, and recovery, this conversation maps the road ahead—and what it will take to change it. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Ben B shares his gambling addiction story and how it cost him his relationship. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY In this episode of the One Day at a Time Gambling Addiction Podcast, Rob sits down with Benjamin Batista, a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania who made his last bet just one month ago. Benjamin’s story captures the heartbreaking truth of how quickly gambling addiction can escalate—from casual poker games with friends to losing thousands on online blackjack. He opens up about the emotional damage that came alongside the financial loss: lying to his partner, hiding debt, and feeling himself transform into someone he didn’t recognize. What makes Benjamin’s story especially powerful is how recent it is. He shares what it felt like to hit a $32,000 win and still lose it all just days later, the final breaking point when his girlfriend left, and how he finally decided to get help. Now in recovery, Benjamin has self-excluded from gambling apps in Pennsylvania, joined weekly support meetings, and is rebuilding his life with the help of his faith, family, and community. He also opens up about how his relationship with God changed through gambling—how anger and desperation eventually turned to gratitude and peace once he started living in recovery. His honesty offers rare insight into the mind of someone freshly out of addiction, showing that recovery isn’t instant—it’s a daily commitment. If you’ve ever felt trapped in the cycle of gambling, or you’re watching someone you love struggle, Benjamin’s story is one you won’t forget. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Daniel Ladik, a professor from Seton Hall that oversees the Seton Hall Sports Poll. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY The Seton Hall Sports Poll: https://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/ 🙌 Check out Right Choice Recovery: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Right Choice Recovery Center in Dayton, NJ, is a licensed addiction treatment center offering evidence-based treatment for substance use, alcohol addiction, as well as compulsive gambling. Our clinical team specializes in dual diagnosis care, addressing mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD alongside addiction. We provide intensive recovery programs, with treatment tailored to individual needs. Right Choice Recovery accepts most major insurance plans and is licensed with the state of NJ and also holds a JCAHO accreditation, ensuring accessible, confidential, and comprehensive care across New Jersey. About Dr. Ladik: Professor Ladik (known as Dr. Dan-o to his students) is an Associate Professor of Marketing in the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. His main teaching and research interests include marketing strategy, personal selling and sales management, servant leadership and web 2.0/social media. Professor Ladik is also the Methodologist for the Seton Hall Sports Poll. Prior to Seton Hall University, Professor Ladik taught for seven years in the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University in Boston. Professor Ladik earned his Ph.D. in marketing at the University of South Florida in Tampa and holds BS (economics), MA (international marketing) and MBA degrees from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Sports betting didn’t just arrive — it was normalized. In this conversation with Professor Daniel Ladik of the Seton Hall Sports Poll, we unpack how ads, data-driven targeting, and “VIP” psychology turned gambling into everyday pop culture. We talk vulnerable audiences (kids, teens, college-age), why “gamble responsibly” messaging misses the point, and how parlays, push notifications, and personalized offers keep people in action. We also cover what could change: whistle-to-whistle ad limits, real literacy up front (not just after harm), and building a movement that puts consumers first. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Tom N about his gambling addiction story 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY In today’s episode, I sit down with Tom N, a recovering gambling addict who made his last bet in March 2023. Born with a physical disability, Tom could only gamble when someone drove him to a casino—until the rise of online gambling changed everything. His story shows how the isolation of the COVID lockdown, the accessibility of gambling apps, and deceptive casino promotions pulled him into addiction. But it also shows the incredible strength of recovery, self-awareness, and faith. Tom’s honesty about relapse, financial loss, and the emotional pain of gambling addiction is powerful—and his message to parents and young people about the dangers of normalizing gambling is something everyone needs to hear. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1 20 question quiz to determine if you have a gambling addiction (if you answer yes to 7 or more, you likely have a gambling problem) 1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? 2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? 3. Did gambling affect your reputation? 4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? 5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? 6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? 7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? 8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more? 9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? 10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? 11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? 12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? 13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? 14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned? 15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble? 16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? 17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? 18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? 19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? 20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

I interview Dr. Timothy Fong about gambling addiction and what's happening in America. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Get Evive and redefine your relationship to gambling for a year for FREE: https://link.getevive.app/download?utm_source=odaat&utm_medium=yt only available in select countries Check out Right Choice Recovery: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com Right Choice Recovery Center in Dayton, NJ, is a licensed addiction treatment center offering evidence-based treatment for substance use, alcohol addiction, as well as compulsive gambling. Our clinical team specializes in dual diagnosis care, addressing mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD alongside addiction. We provide intensive recovery programs, with treatment tailored to individual needs. Right Choice Recovery accepts most major insurance plans and is licensed with the state of NJ and also holds a JCAHO accreditation, ensuring accessible, confidential, and comprehensive care across New Jersey. Dr. Timothy Fong (UCLA Gambling Studies Program) joins me to unpack how gambling has changed over the last 20+ years — from the DSM reclassification of gambling disorder to today’s always-on, app-based betting. We talk about why prevalence estimates are tricky, what “at-risk,” “problem,” and “severe” really mean, and how phones, isolation, and streaming culture shape behavior for teens and emerging adults. We dig into advertising and why it exploded, what regulators permit (and don’t), and why simple slogans don’t move the needle. Dr. Fong explains how sports betting now mimics slots through in-play wagers and same-game parlays, and he offers practical ideas like risk labeling for bets and clearer consumer education. If you or someone you love is struggling, check the resources in the description. And if you want more expert conversations and real recovery stories, subscribe and stick around — we’re building this together, one day at a time. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

I interview Ben Y about his gambling addiction story that led him to prison. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Get Evive and redefine your relationship to gambling for a year for FREE: https://link.getevive.app/download?utm_source=odaat&utm_medium=yt only available in select countries Ben’s story is a raw look at how gambling addiction builds over time: a father’s blackjack habit, childhood trips to Atlantic City, and early wins that fed an identity of “being the smart one at the table.” We trace his path from Chinese poker in middle school to the poker boom, online gambling, and a devastating descent into theft and prison. Ben explains the brain science of the dopamine hit, how chasing losses hijacks values, and why “I’ll pay it back when I win big” keeps people trapped. He shares the moment everything changed on his 40th birthday, the phone call to 1-800-GAMBLER, state-funded counseling, CBT tools, and the safeguards he uses today to stay honest and protect his family. If you or someone you love feels stuck between shame and the urge to bet again, this conversation offers clarity, practical recovery steps, and hope. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Marissa's gambling story presents some challenges women face in gambling recovery 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Get Evive and redefine your relationship to gambling for a year for FREE: https://link.getevive.app/download?utm_source=odaat&utm_medium=yt only available in select countries Marissa's Tiktok channel: https://www.tiktok.com/@gamblefreegirlera Marissa didn’t care about sports bets—she chased slots. A Super Bowl promo and an $800 win lit the fuse, and the “side hustle” quickly became debt, secrecy, and monthly trigger cycles. In this candid conversation, she breaks down how hormones and stress amplified urges, why telling her fiancé changed everything, and the practical guardrails (paycheck split, no credit cards, shared oversight) that are helping her rebuild. We cover stigma vs. disease, her brother’s five-year self-exclusion, and how sharing daily on TikTok created accountability and community. If you’re a partner or parent of someone struggling—or you’re in the first 90 days yourself—this episode offers concrete tools and hope. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1

Kurt's story is the wildest gambling story I've ever heard. 🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY 🙌 Get Evive and redefine your relationship to gambling for a year for FREE: https://link.getevive.app/download?utm_source=odaat&utm_medium=yt only available in select countries Kurt started gambling before age 11—using video-game skins, offshore sites, and VPNs to play blackjack and roulette in secret. A huge early win hard-wired the chase. By college, isolation, flipped sleep, auto-spins, and nonstop “action” replaced classes, meals, and hygiene. When the money ran out, theft began—then arrest and county jail. Kurt explains why gambling wasn’t about money; it was about anticipation and escape, often numbed by drugs after losses. This raw conversation covers how kids access online gambling through games, why parents often miss the signs, the shame spiral of “I must reach zero,” and the brutal steal–gamble–use loop. Then—reality: rehab with a gambling track, GA, self-exclusion, structure, service, and 1.5 years clean. Today he’s rebuilding, aiming to become a gambling therapist to help the next generation avoid his path. If you or a loved one is on the edge, this episode offers clarity, caution, and hope. 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 1️⃣ First day trying to stop gambling? Start here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQirxbLdrgPneNZshy-heKIhm9ftfqpwm&si=RgIHxiIJjC0Wi7yr 😅 Subscribe To Avoid Making The Same Mistakes I Did: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH8s1lNHQbXzltQg_aXMAQA?sub_confirmation=1