ODAAT Gambling Awareness

ODAAT Gambling Awareness
  • 4.7 (16)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED DAILY

Interviews with people who have battled gambling addiction directly or indirectly throughout their lives. For too long, people impacted by problem gambling have been suffering in silence. This podcast aims to help change that while helping viewers learn from the past experiences of others.

  1. Started At 10, Addicted By 12 | I Gambled Everything I Ever Earned

    1D AGO

    Started At 10, Addicted By 12 | I Gambled Everything I Ever Earned

    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

    44 min
  2. Casinos Called Me a VIP — I Was Actually an Addict

    2D AGO

    Casinos Called Me a VIP — I Was Actually an Addict

    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

    50 min
  3. He Went 17 Years Sober, Then Gambling Got Him Addicted Again

    FEB 11

    He Went 17 Years Sober, Then Gambling Got Him Addicted Again

    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

    24 min
  4. I Was a Lawyer Who Stole From Clients to Gamble (My Secret Life)

    FEB 9

    I Was a Lawyer Who Stole From Clients to Gamble (My Secret Life)

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

    1h 11m
  5. I Lost Everything Gambling… Then Went To Prison For It | Jodie's Story

    JAN 27

    I Lost Everything Gambling… Then Went To Prison For It | Jodie's Story

    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

    48 min
  6. I Exposed The Dark Truth About Sports Betting

    JAN 21

    I Exposed The Dark Truth About Sports Betting

    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

    53 min
  7. The “Easy Money” Lie That Destroyed My Life | Randy's Story

    JAN 17

    The “Easy Money” Lie That Destroyed My Life | Randy's Story

    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

    1h 1m
  8. The Hidden Victims of Gambling Addiction: A Wife’s Perspective

    JAN 14

    The Hidden Victims of Gambling Addiction: A Wife’s Perspective

    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

    48 min
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Interviews with people who have battled gambling addiction directly or indirectly throughout their lives. For too long, people impacted by problem gambling have been suffering in silence. This podcast aims to help change that while helping viewers learn from the past experiences of others.

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