All Bets Are Off All Bets Are Off - Gambling Addiction Recovery Podcast

To round off the season we speak to Rick Benson about his experiences of gambling which started from a young age flipping baseball cards, before heading to the bright lights of Sin City (Las Vegas) in which he "kidded himself" that he was a professional gambler. During the episode, Rick speaks about the harm his gambling caused to himself and his loved ones, before everything coming to a head and entering recovery through the support of Gamblers Anonymous. In the early 90's Rick founded the Algamus Recovery Centre in Arizona which has since expanded into other territories (more information can be found by visiting the website www.algamus.org). Later in the show host, Ryan Pitcher is joined by his trusted sidekick Chris Gilham to recap the season and discuss the plans moving forward.

In this, the penultimate episode of season four, Chris meets Chris. Today's host Chris Gilham speaks with professional darts commentator Chris Murphy about his personal experiences of gambling harm, including relapse, attempted suicide, and his recovery journey. 

Chris is also the Communications Manager and Gambling Education Facilitator at the mental health charity Sporting Chance, which helps professional sportspersons suffering from addiction. 

In July 2021 Dan Cuss, more commonly known by his 'Juron' pseudonym through his popular footballing/FIFA YouTube account with over 60,000 subscribers, released a video detailing his battles with gambling addiction (click here to view). As a follow-up to this, we invited Dan to discuss his own struggles, gambling-related harm in general, and to hear what it's like as a young person growing up in a world in which gambling products are so readily available and liberalised. Undoubtedly, Dan's story has and will continue to encourage young people to reflect on their relationship with gambling and perhaps ask themselves: am I beginning to develop a problematic association with gambling as opposed to having just a bit of fun. Please go and support Dan by checking out his videos and subscribing to his YouTube channel. 

Dan Potts and Renée Robey from Healthwatch Essex sit down down with Chris Gilham to talk all things addictions in this the latest edition of the All Bets Are Off podcast. Today we learn a lot more about their engagement project ‘Addiction: Gambling, Drugs & Alcohol' that has been conducted throghout 2021 & much more.

Host Ryan welcomes guest Annie Ashton. Annie, from Leicestershire, is petitioning to put an end to free bets and inducements after her husband Luke tragically took his own life in April this year. In today's programme, we talk about Luke and Annie's relationship. From what was a childhood crush to re-connecting on Facebook a few years later and the life that they had built for themselves and their children. We also hear a little bit about Luke's relationship with gambling and the Luke's Law campaign that Annie is crusading to bring to fruition. At the time of recording the petition was on just fewer than 6,000 signatures. However, just three weeks later when publishing the episode this figure had risen to over 15,000. To sign Annie's petition please click here. This episode is created in the loving memory of Luke Ashton. 

In today's programme, we hear from Christina, the Founder of The Broke Girl Society, and take in her addiction story and the work that she is now doing to raise awareness of gambling-related harms and support those in need, especially women. 

Please go and listen to The Broke Girl Society podcast by clicking here. You can also follow her story, and that of many others via social media: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.