The 46-year-old Las Vegas restaurateur was drunk and broken at the time and said that he no longer cared to be alive. Unlike more visible addictions, problem gambling is fairly easy to hide, yet nonetheless leaves about 2 million Americans annually feeling alone, ashamed and, in many cases, broke. A recent survey from the National Council on Problem Gambling, a Washington-based nonprofit, showed that the risk has doubled since 2018. Increases in gambling addiction have been fueled by major growth in legalized sports betting and by the pandemic, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. He tries to live by the teachings — among them, admitting he was at the time powerless over his gambling addiction.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 03, 2022 13:33 UTC