Blake Fitzgerald was just a regular guy from Minnesota—until a side hustle on TikTok turned into a six-figure illegal gambling operation. After dropping out of college and bouncing between jobs, Blake discovered the world of gambling livestreams. Within months, he was pulling in over $100,000 running an underground gambling ring through social media. But the fast money came with heavy consequences. What started as a business turned into an addiction, and eventually, the law caught up with him. In this interview, Blake shares how he built the operation, how it spiraled out of control, and how he managed to escape prison time through a plea deal.

00:00 Introduction & The Shocking Call

00:34 Blake's Background and Upbringing

02:56 Childhood, Parents, and Lessons Learned

05:54 Family Dynamics & Early Life Challenges

13:04 College, Early Work, and First Adult Steps

17:15 Launching a Career: Sales, Oil Fields & Construction

20:51 Discovering Gambling Streams & TikTok Live

24:55 Explosive Growth on TikTok

31:36 Gambling Becomes a Business

38:28 The Illegal Gambling Model Starts

41:08 Managing Money, Moderators, and Viewers

43:43 High Stakes, Big Nights, and Addictive Success

47:35 TikTok Fame, Haters & Legal Gray Areas

55:10 The Investigation and Downfall

01:01:38 Facing Charges & Navigating the Legal System

01:09:03 Plea Deals, Consequences, and Community Service

01:13:15 Addiction Continues: Gambling Beyond TikTok

01:17:17 Embracing Recovery: Gamblers Anonymous

01:21:14 Life After Gambling: Fast Cars and Family

01:28:25 Social Media Reflections & Giving Back

01:32:33 Media Coverage, Public Perception, and Reputation

01:35:01 Lessons Learned: The Dangers of Gambling Culture

01:41:12 Moving Forward, Staying Sober, Final Thoughts

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