All Bets Are Off
SamfunnThe All Bets Are Off podcast was established in April 2020 as a gambling addiction recovery podcast. Our diverse portfolio of listening content covers a wide range of discussion points includes everything from recovery stories and signposting through to chats with industry specialists and a wanting for positive change and re-form.
Siste episoder av All Bets Are Off podcast
- S4 EP12: Rick Benson (founder of Algamus Recovery Centers) (01:06:33)
To round off the season we speak to Rick Benson about his experiences of gambling which started from a young age flipping baseball cards, before heading to the bright lights of Sin City (Las Vegas) in which he "kidded himself" that he was a professional gambler. During the episode, Rick speaks about the harm his gambling caused to himself and his loved ones, before everything coming to a head and entering recovery through the support of Gamblers Anonymous. In the early 90's Rick founded the Algamus Recovery Centre in Arizona which has since expanded into other territories (more information can be found by visiting the website www.algamus.org). Later in the show host, Ryan Pitcher is joined by his trusted sidekick Chris Gilham to recap the season and discuss the plans moving forward.
- S4 EP11: Chris Murphy (01:00:53)
In this, the penultimate episode of season four, Chris meets Chris. Today's host Chris Gilham speaks with professional darts commentator Chris Murphy about his personal experiences of gambling harm, including relapse, attempted suicide, and his recovery journey. Chris is also the Communications Manager and Gambling Education Facilitator at the mental health charity Sporting Chance, which helps professional sportspersons suffering from addiction.
- S4 EP10: Dan Cuss aka 'Juron' (YouTuber) (01:17:09)
In July 2021 Dan Cuss, more commonly known by his 'Juron' pseudonym through his popular footballing/FIFA YouTube account with over 60,000 subscribers, released a video detailing his battles with gambling addiction (click here to view). As a follow-up to this, we invited Dan to discuss his own struggles, gambling-related harm in general, and to hear what it's like as a young person growing up in a world in which gambling products are so readily available and liberalised. Undoubtedly, Dan's story has and will continue to encourage young people to reflect on their relationship with gambling and perhaps ask themselves: am I beginning to develop a problematic association with gambling as opposed to having just a bit of fun. Please go and support Dan by checking out his videos and subscribing to his YouTube channel.
- S4 EP9: Healthwatch Essex (00:52:38)
Dan Potts and Renée Robey from Healthwatch Essex sit down down with Chris Gilham to talk all things addictions in this the latest edition of the All Bets Are Off podcast. Today we learn a lot more about their engagement project ‘Addiction: Gambling, Drugs & Alcohol' that has been conducted throghout 2021 & much more.
- S4 EP8: Luke's Law feat. Annie Ashton (00:45:19)
Host Ryan welcomes guest Annie Ashton. Annie, from Leicestershire, is petitioning to put an end to free bets and inducements after her husband Luke tragically took his own life in April this year. In today's programme, we talk about Luke and Annie's relationship. From what was a childhood crush to re-connecting on Facebook a few years later and the life that they had built for themselves and their children. We also hear a little bit about Luke's relationship with gambling and the Luke's Law campaign that Annie is crusading to bring to fruition. At the time of recording the petition was on just fewer than 6,000 signatures. However, just three weeks later when publishing the episode this figure had risen to over 15,000. To sign Annie's petition please click here. This episode is created in the loving memory of Luke Ashton.
- S4 EP7: The Broke Girl Society (01:01:56)
In today's programme, we hear from Christina, the Founder of The Broke Girl Society, and take in her addiction story and the work that she is now doing to raise awareness of gambling-related harms and support those in need, especially women. Please go and listen to The Broke Girl Society podcast by clicking here. You can also follow her story, and that of many others via social media: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
- S4 EP6: Childhood Trauma (01:17:25)
After a mid-season break, we're back with the re-commencement of season four. In today's episode, we welcome Ian Richards who, as a child, was sexually abused. Ian and podcast host Ryan met a few months ago on The Big Step and became close having discussed their respective chilhood traumas and the similaraties of how this impacted them both and the events that ensued.
- S4 EP5: The Researchers (01:04:35)
In today's show we welcome Dr Steve Sharman, a Research Fellow within the School of Psychology. His research primarily focuses on the influence of within-game constructs on gambling behaviour, and virtual reality. Later in the programme TalkGEN's Chris Purnell aka CJ gives us a therapy of his lived experience and indicates gaps in research and the reasoning as to why he's so passionate about working in the sector.
- S4 EP4: Gambling Harm - Scottish Edition (01:00:49)
This episode is dedicated to our Scottish listeners as we welcome Darren Crocker a.k.a @Rule_ette_Out on social platforms. Now six years gamble free, Darren likes to utilise his lived experience to share practical advice and thoughts which, he hopes, helps others going through a bit of tough time. We cannot recommend his Instagram videos enough - go and check him out... once you've listened to the podcast! In part two we are joined by Warren Hughes, Gambling Education Project Manager at Fast Forward, a Scottish youth work charity focusing on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling and peer education. We hear all about what they are doing in their bid to prevent gambling harm in Scotland, the feedback that thy have received from young people and parents, and plans for the future.
- S4 EP3: Anders Bergman (QuitGamble.com) (00:40:49)
Today we welcome the founder of QuitGamble.com, Anders Bergman. The Swede talks us through his story of how he worked for the gambling industry before having a change of heart and wishing to help those suffering gambling harms and implementing a well-structured methodology via QuitGamble, including a comprehensive programme designed to simplify things for individuals that have a problematic relationship with gambling.
- S4 EP2: The Girl Gambler (00:53:31)
Today we are joined by the author of The Girl Gambler, Stacey Goodwin. Stacey's gambling addiction started at the age of 18 years old when she landed what she thought would be an innocent part-time job working at a betting shop. Little did Stacey know just how much her life would take a dramatic turn and an 8-year addiction would ensure. Stacey burst onto the recovery scene recently having grown a large following over on TikTok in which she talks through her story, offers advice based on her lived experience and interacts with her followers - go and check out her videos @thegirlgambler. You can purchase Stacey's book The Girl Gambler on Amazon, UK listeners click here to purchase.
- S4 EP1: The Big Step (Scotland to Wembley) (00:50:46)
Our first episode of season 4 pays homage to The Big Step’s campaign walk from Scotland to Wembley Stadium which starts on Friday 4th June. We are joined by two integral members of the team that have helped to organise the event, Tom Fleming and Emily Beck. Alongside them, we speak with Chris Hulse who will also be taking part in the gruelling 300+ mile walk in its entirety. Later in the show, we welcome the man charged to get the event on camera, investigate journalist Alexi Phillips. To support The Big Step please follow the link below: - Sign the open letter to support the call to suspend gambling adverts during the European Championships this summer - [CLICK HERE] Sign the petition calling on the government to end gambling advertising, sponsorship and promotion in football – [CLICK HERE] To donate - [CLICK HERE]
- S3 EP12: The Difference In People (01:21:15)
The final episode of season three welcomes our loved ones onto the programme to talk about the difference they've seen in us since finding recovery. We look back at the trying times of active addiction and how we've evolved over time and throughout recovery and what it means to them. In part one Chris speaks to Ryan's partner Rosa and later in the show Ryan hears from Chris' brothers Mike and Ian. This episode isn't about self-adulation, we hope it may inspire those that are coming to recognise that they have a problematic relationship with gambling and contemplating recovery life or at the start of their respective journey's to show just how much your loved ones care for you and your recovery, what it means to them, and the difference they see in you as you work through the process.
- S3 EP11: Cricket - Gambling Addiction (00:47:50)
Welcome to the penultimate episode of season three of the All Bets Are Off podcast. In today's show, we welcome Hampshire & London Sprint cricketer Chris Wood and former cricketer Patrick Foster, who both work for EPIC Risk Management. Although the theme of the programme is cricket, the majority of today's discussion specifically draws on Chris' and Patrick's (Patch to friends) addiction to gambling, their subsequent recoveries, and the work that they are now undertaking to try and prevent others from following a similar path. Enjoy the show!
- S3 EP10: The Peoples FC (00:44:58)
This week we welcome Kye Trott and Lewis Holloway from The Peoples FC, a charity YouTube football club from south-east London who was awarded the sponsorship package that we offered-up earlier on in the year. Although not gambling addiction specific, The Peoples FC are a club famed for raising awareness of mental health, and we really wished to introduce them to the community before the end of season three. During the episode we discussed a bunch of things, including the reasonings as to why the club was formed, what they've been doing since football has been interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, the work that they do in the community, and how great it is to be working together. We released today's episode to coincide with the release of the new kit with the All Bets Are Off logo which is now available to pre-order. Later in the programme, Ryan and Chris discuss the family fun day scheduled for Saturday 17th July.
- S3 EP9: The Operator (Kindred Group - Maris Catania & Neil Banbury) (01:06:53)
We understand that this episode may not be for all of our listeners and so as per the warning at the top of the show, if you are uncomfortable with discussions between a gambling addiction recovery podcast and a gambling operator then this recording isn't the one for you. However, we believe that it's good to have a healthy debate and discussion with operators especially those that are setting a high bar in terms of ethics and sustainability, and that has set an ambitious target to reach zero revenue derived from harmful gambling by 2023, as is the case with Kindred Group. In today's show, we speak with Maris Catania (Global Head of Player Sustainability at Kindred Group) and UK General Manager, Neil Banbury.
- S3 EP8: Authors (01:17:10)
In today's show, Chris Gilham speaks to four different guests all with one thing in common, they are all authors of books that centre around gambling-harms. See below for the list of guests and links to their respective books. We strongly recommend them all! Tony O'Reilly [Tony 10: The astonishing story of the postman who gambled €10,000,000 ... and lost it all] - click here Rebecca Cassidy [Vicious Games: Capitalism and Gambling] - click here Billiejo Priestley [My Addiction Is Just Fixation: Or So They Say] - click here Jody Bechtold [The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals] - click here
- S3 EP7: Affected Others: The Children (01:19:19)
In today's episode, we focus on the children of gambling addicts and how their behaviours have impacted them and shaped their mindset towards gambling and gambling-harm. Last year in a YouGov report commissioned by GambleAware, found that as many as 7% of adults, or 3.6 million people, report having been negatively affected by someone else’s gambling problem in the UK alone. Needless to say, that means there are a lot more people negatively impacted by someone else's problematic gambling, and yet as a recovery podcast, we feel that there still isn't a representative equivalent of their voices being heard and it's recordings such as this that will allow those affected others to talk openly, without judgement, and it may help others in a similar position. In today's show, we speak to UK-based sisters Jess and Em whose father was sent to prison for a crime that was driven by his addiction to gambling. We were keen to unearth how their dad's addiction had impacted them, what their relationship was like before and after his stint in prison (now in recovery), and the wider repercussions. In part two we speak with US-based Tricia whose mother has been attracted to gambling venues ever since Tricia was a teenager, and following many years of health issues, her mum has become reliant on Tricia and others to facilitate her gambling addiction.
- S3 EP6: Relapse (01:19:27)
Please note that this episode contains discussions around sensitive topics such as suicidal ideation and substance abuse. The purpose of today’s show is to try and inspire those that may be amid a relapse, struggling to overcome a blip, and/or for those of us that may be fearful of a regression. To help us in this quest we welcomed two disordered gamblers in recovery, both with very different stories to tell. Part 1: Richie Paxton Part 2: Stephen Gillatt
- S3 EP5: Gambling In Journalism, Media & Advertising (00:52:59)
Should the press hold the gambling industry to a higher standard of account? Do sports desks need to have an honest reflection on their relationship with the gambling industry? New Statesman journalist Rohan Banjeree gives his views on this and more in our Gambling In Journalism, Media & Advertising podcast. In the second half of the show, we welcome the founder of Underdog Sports Marketing, Ged Colleypriest. Having previously headed up the sponsorship department at talkSPORT Ged's company Underdog Sports Marketing works with sports clubs and brands with a view to creating more sustainable sponsorship and advertising strategies as opposed to being reliant on revenue from the gambling industry. Today he shares his experiences with us.
- S3 EP4: Social Casinos & Loot Boxes (01:03:16)
Two topics that we had yet to discuss in any great detail until today are social casinos and loot boxes. In this episode we welcome Indira Tondu who, having had no interest in gambling previous, innocently wanted to learn how to play poker and downloaded a mobile phone application. The New Yorker went on to lose $200,000 in three years on virtual chips that had no real money value. Later in the show we are joined by Jonathan Peniket who became addicted to purchasing FIFA packs following some challenges in his personal life. Jonathan now works for EPIC Risk Management as an Online Gaming and Esports Consultant.
- S3 EP3: Gambling In Football (00:38:47)
As many of our listeners will know, we absolutely love our football here on the All Bets Are Off podcast, and a series really wouldn't be a series without having at least one episode that centres around gambling in our nations number one sport. In today’s show, we welcome John Peel (Director at Lewes FC) and Nick Hutt (co-owner of Billericay Town) to talk about gambling in football. We were keen to draw upon John and Nick’s experiences in non-league football and how the betting industry impacts clubs - directly and indirectly - lower down the pyramid. We hope that this discussion can play a small part in football reverting to type and being as beautiful as it once was, free of betting logos emblazoned on everything. Long live the beautiful game... without betting sponsorship, promotion and advertising.
- S3 EP2: Gambling & The Chinese Community (00:45:58)
In this episode, we delve deeper into gambling within Chinese culture with experts from Hong Kong and San Fransisco. Join us as we talk through the gambling harm risk-factors and vulnerabilities of the Chinese community, including gaps in research and recommendations on how things can be improved. Part 1: Dr Edward Kwan was the first specialist certified gambling counsellor in Hong Kong SAR, China and has been helping people and family troubled by gambling disorder since 1996. In the programme, we touch upon a number of subject including his research on The Impact of Problem Gambling on the Female Spouses of Male Chinese Gamblers in Hong Kong (click here to view). Part 2: Kent Woo has served the Asian American community for more than 30 years, the last 20 as the executive director of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition, a San Francisco-based public-private-community partnership of more than 30 health and human service organisations.
- S3 EP1: Online Slots - Addiction By Design (01:08:38)
It's the moment you've all been waiting for... we're back! Season three of the All Bets Are Off podcast is here and returning to your ear drums each week for the next few months. We start with an episode that centres specifically around addiction to online slot machines. Part 1: In the first half of the show, host Ryan Pitcher welcomes Scott Russell who, like Ryan, quickly became fixated with online slots. Their experiences are commented on by Dr. Luke Clark (Professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Centre for Gambling Research at the University of British Columbia). Part 2: We welcome Josh from slot slots streaming platform Fruity Slots to find out what it's like to be a UK-based slot streamer, especially with the upcoming review of the Gambling Act, and what challenges that this may bring.
- All Bets Are Off: New Year's Special 2020-21 (00:51:01)
The All Bets Are Off crew come together for the final recording of what has been a breakthrough year. There are no guests this time out; just Ryan, Kishan, Chris and Tracey sharing their thoughts and memories from 2020, whilst also looking ahead on what's to come in 2021 both from the podcast and TalkGEN. We would like to thank each and every guest that has appeared on the podcast ever since its inception eight months ago. Needless to say, we would like to extend this gratitude to all of our listeners who continue to listen and share the podcast. We'll be back in four weeks time for season three!