In recent years, the issue of problem gambling has gained increased attention and awareness, particularly with the rise of online gambling and the proliferation of sports betting. To shed light on this important topic, we had the opportunity to speak with Brian Hatch, the host of the Gambling Harm Podcast at Lee Street Media. 

As someone with a wealth of experience in the field, Brian shared his insights on the impact of gambling harm, strategies for prevention and treatment, and the importance of addressing this issue from a public health perspective.

What inspired you to start the Gambling Harm Podcast, and what message do you hope to convey to your audience through your work?

I started the podcast out of necessity because I had no money for therapy after placing my last bet, and I needed to talk about my addiction. The podcast became and continues to be my recovery tool. The podcast is what keeps me from gambling. I hope the audience realizes they are not alone. Gambling addiction affects so many of us, and there is help out there. The opposite of addiction is the connection, and the podcast connects people in recovery to people who want to be in recovery. 

In your experience, what are some of the most common misconceptions about problem gambling that you have encountered, and how do you address them through your podcast?

The idea that people can just stop. “Oh, you have a gambling problem. Why don’t you just stop gambling?” Because we are addicted. We feel a compulsion to keep going. We have to get that win so we can pay back the debt we created. We have to chase losses so we can pay rent next week. To stop, you need to know what to do when you stop, and that’s where the podcast comes in. 

Through conversations with people struggling and people in recovery, those listening can get the information on what to do when they do stop. Not everyone knows that Gamblers Anonymous exists or that there are therapists out there who specialize in gambling harm. The podcast is a free story-by-story guide on how others overcame this insidious addiction, and maybe you can, too, by following in their footsteps. 

Another misconception is that we are just bad with money. As soon as we deposit that money, it ceases to have value, it becomes the needle with which we receive our drug. Not until we are out of money does money’s value return. 

What do you believe are some of the most effective strategies for preventing and addressing problem gambling?

None of the strategies I support are in use. Number one, we need to reduce accessibility to gambling. Bars/pubs have a closing time. We cut off the person drinking. We need to cut off the gambler. Anybody with an addiction to gambling will continue until all the money’s gone. We need to cut them off and send them home to clear their head and sleep on the idea of gambling more money. 

1. Having 24/7 access to gambling is freaking insane and not needed. Sure, in places like Atlantic City or Las Vegas, it’s a 24-hour party. You are there to indulge for a vacation, and that’s fine, but do you think college students in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, need to be gambling at 3 a.m.?
2. We need to address payment methods. Cashless gaming is so dangerous. Not seeing the money you are gambling makes you think you have more of it to gamble. 
3. If the gambling industry truly wanted to do something substantial, they would do affordability checks to be sure the patron gambling can afford the amounts they are gambling. Most people can’t afford to lose $500 in a night or $2k in a month, the industry needs to be certain that the patron isn’t destroying their life by placing bets that day. 
4. The gambling industry can talk all they want about responsible gambling, but until their actions reflect that they actually want to help and not see people harmed by their addictive product, it’s all talk. The prime example is marketing. Telling people in a commercial that your bet is risk-free is not only a lie but also completely undermines any responsible gambling initiatives your company does. The marketing department should have to run every ad by the RG department before it goes public. 

Can you describe some memorable story or experience that you have shared on your podcast and its impact on people’s lives?

Two episodes come to mind. The first is the episode I did after getting out of the hospital from being suicidal. I talked about holding a shotgun to my head and going to the police station for help. I talked about learning (while in the hospital) that I am in need of mental health help. It’s okay to be okay. Sharing this on the podcast showed others that even in the darkest hour, there is light. 

I received feedback from listeners who were also struggling. They were helped because I shared my pain. This is why podcasts or any form of speaking out is so important. As humans, we think we are the only person going through a particular situation, but the truth is there are others out there going through the same pain, and they just need to know that they are not alone. 

The next episode was about how I switched addictions to buying and selling baseball cards. I was shocked at the feedback from that episode. I found out I was not alone. 

How do you approach interviewing guests who have struggled with problem gambling, and what steps do you take to ensure that their privacy and dignity are respected?

I interview all guests the same. We talk for a bit before we record. I make sure the guest is comfortable with me as a person before they talk about some of the most painful moments of their lives. All guests have the option to use a different name to maintain their anonymity, as long as the story is true, but I will say that most of the guests choose to use their real names.

Guests like the idea that their story could help another human. I also have a longstanding rule: if you want your episode removed from the internet, I’ll take it down. So if someone decides, “Oh, I don’t want that out there,” no worries, I take it down. I’m pleased to say that only one person has taken me up on this. 

I don’t hunt down gamblers who are suffering to be on the show. I generally ask those I know who have been in recovery for a while or those who reach out through email and request to tell their story. The idea of helping someone is infectious, and those of us in recovery help ourselves by helping others. Sharing lived experiences is so valuable.

How do you navigate the ethical challenges associated with promoting responsible gambling while also raising awareness about the negative impact of problem gambling?

I think we need to raise awareness of gambling addiction. We need to show all gamblers how bad this can get if you feel that you can’t stop gambling. The idea of responsible gambling and telling consumers to set a budget of time and money is silly. It’s common sense to set a budget. RG isn’t telling us something we don’t know. Responsible gambling is giving the industry the appearance that they care. 

I’m sure a good percentage of people who work in the industry don’t want to see someone lose their home or family over their addictive product, but the industry as a whole doesn’t care. They are a business set out to make money. Why would they ever want you to stop using their product? 

I think that’s backed up by the incentives offered through emails and advertisements. “Hey, we noticed you haven’t gambled in a while. Here is $200 in free credits if you come back and gamble.” They offer you the money because they know that once you start, you won’t stop.

How do you think AI can be used to promote responsible gambling, and what potential benefits do you see in using this technology to prevent and address problem gambling?

Responsible gambling puts the onus on the gambler to stop or take a break. Making it the gambler’s responsibility to stop isn’t going to cut it. Where is the responsibility of the operator? Where is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens from an addictive product that they legalized? 

Sure, it is great to use AI and gather the data, but don’t just send the player a note with a helpline and self-exclusion information, cut the player off, or at the very least do an affordability check to see if the player can keep gambling. 

The gambling industry needs to be the parent and look out for the best interest of the kids. The industry makes its bones off of the backs of those who are addicted. They’re not making money from the entertainment gambler who gambles a couple hundred a month; they’re making their money off the person who can’t stop because they are addicted.

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