Jun 13, 2025
Before online sportsbooks and casino apps, there was a different kind of gambling world — one run by bookies, back rooms, and the kind of debt you couldn't just close a browser tab to escape. In this episode, host Brian sits down with Tony V, a man with a truly old school gambling story, whose journey from compulsive bettor to person in long-term recovery is as gripping as it gets.
Tony opens up about what it was like gambling in an era before the internet changed everything — placing bets through mob-connected bookmakers, the thrill and the terror that came with it, and the slow unraveling that addiction brings to every area of life. But this isn't just a war story. Tony found recovery, and he shares what that path actually looked like.
Perhaps the most powerful moment in this conversation: what happened when Tony ran into his old bookie well into his recovery AND what the Bookie SAID
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What old school gambling culture really looked like — bookies, debts, and all
- How compulsive gambling escalates no matter the era or the format
- The role of Recovery Chat in Tony's journey and how peer connection supports sobriety
- What it feels like to unexpectedly cross paths with your past while in recovery
- How long-term recovery is built and protected over time
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