Talk to someone who's been there
If you're worried about your gambling, or someone else's, you can write to me. I'm a person in recovery, and I'm happy to listen.
My story
Hey, since you're here I know you're stopping by, learning about gambling, or you or someone you love are struggling with gambling. My name is Rick and I am a very competitive person. Throughout life I have enjoyed my time playing games, working, learning about the world, and spending my time with friends and family. I always was curious about gambling and betting. "Hey, a few bucks on a game makes it more interesting, right?" That's where it all started. Especially when online casinos became a thing.. I was always curious and it scratched a dopamine that I thought I wanted..or even that I needed.
I've played video games my entire life and I've even cracked top 100 on leaderboards of multiple games. I was never good enough to go pro, but it's how I enjoyed spending my time. I would study, learn, watch, and ultimately grind to try and become the best at whatever it was.
I learned a good amount about sports betting through co-workers but I didn't know anything about sports so it never really took off for me. Then, video games got introduced on Draft Kings and I was hooked. My favorite game. I could bet on it. I knew who would win but there wasn't enough money in it and stakes weren't high enough. I watched a streamer playing slots when they were on Twitch and I always thought it was an interesting concept.
By April of 2025, I was dipping my feet into slots. I knew the odds were stacked against me but there was something about them. I didn't have to study, I didn't have to work hard, I didn't have to come up with a solution, but there was always a thought. A thought that I could fix my life and not have to do anything anymore. I was tired from my job and just life in general and this looked like a way out. Little did I know it became the thing that took all of my time, my effort, my tears, and my dignity.
I walked into April of 2025 with a steady savings, an outlook on life that was mostly positive, and as a person that seemed like they kind of had it together. By the end of 2025 I had lost it all. I always told myself I'd stop by 2026 but who was I kidding I was so far in that I couldn't.
On January 8th of 2026 I wanted to end it all. Someone helped me that night and I am so grateful that they were in my life at the time. I self-excluded and I went to my first GA (Gamblers Anonymous) meeting on January 13th.
So here I am. Nine months later. I just want people to know..who were just as lost as me or they fell into the trap. Life is good. Life gets better. I'm improving every day. My hobbies, my job, my relationships are all improving. Why I gambled? It doesn't matter. What matters is that life after it..is seriously one that is just so much better. Feel free to reach out. I'm an open book and I'd love to chat or talk to anyone who is struggling or just wants to talk about anything non-gambling related.
What to expect
What I can do
- Read what you write and answer in my own words
- Tell you what it was like and what helped me
- Help you find the next step, like self-exclusion or a support group
- After we've written a few times, set up a phone call if you'd like one
What I can't do
- Counsel, treat, or diagnose. I'm a peer, not a professional
- Give legal, tax, or money advice
- Reply the same day. I aim to reply within a few days
- Be there in an emergency
Write to me
Your privacy
- Your message goes to a private inbox that only I read. I won't share it or post it anywhere.
- The message passes through a form service on its way to my inbox, and that service may keep a copy.
- I'm not a counselor, so what you write isn't protected the way it would be with a therapist.
- If your message says you're thinking about hurting yourself, I'll reply with 988 and encourage you to call. I can't see messages the moment they arrive, which is why the crisis lines are listed above.
Last checked: October 1, 2026.