ODAAT Gambling Awareness

I interview Tom N about his gambling addiction story

🤝 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

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

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

I had no clue that collecting could be as addictive as traditional gambling

🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY

This video was sponsored by Right Choice Recovery: https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com/

About Right Choice: Right Choice Recovery offers a tranquil and healing environment specifically designed to support your journey to recovery. Our facility is more than just a treatment center; it’s a sanctuary where individuals can find peace, healing, and a new beginning. With carefully designed spaces that blend comfort with functionality, our facility sets the stage for transformative healing experiences. About Alyx's company: Collectors MD LLC is a support-based movement for individuals navigating the emotional, financial, and psychological impact of collecting in today’s high-pressure hobby environment. Whether you’re into sports cards, TCG, memorabilia, or any sort of collectible we exist for the moments when the hobby stops feeling healthy—and starts feeling like something else entirely. Founded by collectors, for collectors, we know what it’s like to chase. To overspend. To feel stuck. To love the hobby deeply but still find yourself losing control. We’re not anti-hobby. We are pro-support. And we believe the two can—and must—coexist.

Links https://collectorsmd.com https://www.instagram.com/collectorsmd

meetings: https://bit.ly/45koiMX

https://www.youtube.com/@UClo8AhwbIC-6Anl27w1dC8Q

Sports betting and collecting collided for Alyx Effron. What started as casual wagers and nostalgia for sneakers and sports cards spiraled into high-speed cycles of chasing, spending, justifying, and regretting—fueled by live blackjack and modern card-breaking streams that mirror gambling mechanics. Alyx shares three rock-bottom moments around his 2022 wedding and the April 2023 crash that led to self-exclusion, GA, Right Choice Recovery, and a new mission: Collectors MD, a peer-led community helping people collect with intention, not compulsion. We break down how breaks, razzes, countdowns, and dopamine loops hook adults and kids, why there are no real age gates, warning signs for parents, and practical ways to draw the line between a healthy hobby and addiction-like behavior. 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

I interview Nick Ruiz about his gambling addiction story.

🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY

🙌 Gamfin can assist with budgeting, debt, and rebuilding. If you’re struggling today, you’re not alone—help works, and life gets better. https://www.gamfin.org/rob

From Nick: My name is Nick Ruiz, I am a 39 year old who had been addicted to gambling for close to 20 years. I have been clean since 2/15/25. I am a father to two sons. Being sober now for over 7 months now how changed my life in so many positive ways. I now enjoy and appreciate the little things in life. Gambling caused so much stress and chaos in my life. I was unable to sleep, concentrate, be a good father and friend. Every day was about chasing the losses and believing I could get everything I lost back. I’m glad to finally say I’m clean and that horror is now behind me. Nick Ruiz started gambling before he could drive—scratch-offs with his granddad, then illegal trips to local tribal casinos at 14–15. What began as family “fun” became a decade of slot-machine obsession, lies, panic attacks, and financial collapse. In this raw interview, Nick (now a professional wrestler who’s worked with WWE/AEW) details how jackpots lost their thrill, how addiction isolated him from friends and his sons, and the night everything finally broke. With his mom by his side, he self-excluded for life and rebuilt: setting boundaries, rediscovering simple joys, repairing family trust, and finding peace of mind. If you’re chasing losses or terrified of life without gambling, this conversation shows a real path out—surrender, get support, put safeguards in place, and start again. Need financial recovery 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 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 high school statistics teacher Arty Smith about his gambling data analysis curriculum. 🤝 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

One in five young males are at high risk for problem gambling, a statistic that alarms Colorado math teacher Arty Smith. In this episode, Arty shares how his decades of teaching led him to create a gambling awareness curriculum blending math, data science, and storytelling. We cover why schools are unprepared for this crisis, how short-term wins fuel overconfidence, the role of fantasy sports, and why education—not denial—is the best defense. Arty breaks down the math behind sports betting, the signs of problem gambling, and how communities can protect kids. Together, we explore whether schools should teach abstinence or “responsible” gambling, and why every high school needs this conversation now.

About Arty: Website: https://www.abettorlife.com/ Bio: With 30 years of experience working with high school and college students, Arty currently holds a Distinguished Teaching Chair at Kent Denver School, where he teaches AP Statistics and two electives in Data Science. He is a national leader in modernizing the math curriculum to integrate more data, statistics, and probability. He has presented at numerous conferences on the role of data and AI in the classroom. Additionally, he serves as an Academic Ambassador for Tableau and a spokesperson for Just Equations. Before retiring from soccer coaching in 2019, he led the Sun Devils to five State Championships and was named Colorado Coach of the Year eight times. Arty founded the Gambling Awareness Initiative in 2025.

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 AJ about his gambling addiction story that all took place before he turned 21.

🤝 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

🙌 Get help for a gambling addiction at https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com

About AJ: I'm AJ, a college student from New Jersey with a passion for helping others. I work as a behavioral technician, supporting individuals with special needs in developing life and social skills. I’m studying education to become a teacher one day. Making a difference in people’s lives has always been my purpose, but for a while, I lost sight of who I was. Gambling twisted me into someone unrecognizable. I kept it a secret for so long, convincing myself I had it under control while it slowly consumed me. It made me lie to myself and to everyone around me. I lost people I loved, and for a while, I didn’t know if I’d ever come back from it. But I did. Since quitting, my mind is clearer, my heart is lighter, and I’m finally starting to live without the weight of addiction holding me down. I’m rebuilding, learning, and growing every day. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s shaping me into the man I was always meant to be.

AJ's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aj.anzaldi?lang=en

AJ started on Fliff in high school with a $5-a-day promo, hit an $800 parlay, and believed he’d found easy money. Within months he was depositing paychecks, hiding bets in class, and chasing losses across DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, and Fanatics—culminating in an $11,000 casino-session swing and a desperate blank-check attempt that cost him his job and relationships. He made his last bet on November 2, 2024. We unpack underage access, why ads and bonuses hook teens, how isolation escalates stakes, and the habits that rebuilt his life: honesty, self-exclusion, therapy, faith, family, and daily routines. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. Recovery is possible—start today. 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.

Colin Brown reveals how gambling nearly cost him his life, and how he turned it around.

🤝 How I Quit Gambling: https://youtu.be/ZUx9qIm4sNY

Colin’s site: https://www.gamblingleap.com

🙌 Get help for a gambling addiction at https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com

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?