ODAAT Gambling Awareness

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