Historian EXPOSES How DraftKings & FanDuel Engineer Gambling Addiction
Podcast: Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis RuggieroPublished On: Thu Aug 27 2026
Description: They know everything about you. That's not a conspiracy theory — it's the business model. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cohen, award-winning historian and author of Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling — one of the leading voices examining how legalized sports betting exploded across America and what it's really costing us. Jonathan isn't in recovery. He's a scholar. And what he's uncovered studying DraftKings, FanDuel, and the sports betting industry confirms everything those of us in recovery have lived firsthand. We get into: ▶ How sportsbooks hire armies of PhD psychologists to engineer addiction into their apps — "they can't pump oxygen through your phone, so they design the platforms to mimic it"▶ Why gambling went from a frat-house thing to a seventh-grade thing in under a decade▶ The Ohtani scandal — and the dinner where I asked Matt Bowyer point blank: was it him or not?▶ Terry Rozier, college athletes, and the scandals the leagues saw coming▶ Why a 22-year-old's brain is biologically incapable of stopping — and why "responsible gambling" puts all the blame on the individual anyway▶ The one simple guardrail that could save thousands of lives — and why the industry will never allow it▶ My story: my first casino at 15, a bookie in college, and the night I sat with a plan to end my life, $1 million in debt, with a ten-month-old baby at home▶ The real DM I received the morning of this recording — $30K lost in 45 days — and what I told him Whether you bet every Sunday, love someone who does, or you're one of the millions caught in the fastest-growing addiction in America — this conversation is for you. 🔔 Real stories. Raw comebacks. Nothing’s off the table. I sit down with people who’ve faced it all: addiction, loss, redemption—and came out stronger. These are unfiltered conversations about resilience, recovery, and finding purpose again. 🎙️ Hosted by Louis Ruggiero 📱 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/nothingsoffpod) 📹 TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@nothingsoffpod) 🔗 Linktree: (https://www.linktr.ee/nothingsoffthetable) 🧢 Buy a Nothing's Off The Table Hat: (https://nothings-off-the-table-with-louis-ruggiero.myshopify.com) 🤝 Proudly Sponsored by Right Choice Recovery If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or addiction, please reach out. Louis personally recommends Right Choice Recovery, a team that genuinely cares and treats every client like family. They provide compassionate, individualized support and can help connect people with the resources they need to begin their recovery journey. Learn More: 🌎 Website: (https://rightchoicerecoverynj.com) 📱 Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/rightchoicerecovery) ☎️ Contact: (732) 808-2725 🎙️ Connect with Our Guest 👉 Instagram: 👉 TikTok: 👉 Website: About the Show Hosted by Louis Ruggiero, a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and advocate for recovery, Nothing’s Off The Table is where real people share their real stories. From battling addiction to overcoming life’s toughest challenges, Louis and his guests uncover the moments that spark change and fuel unstoppable comebacks. Expect raw honesty, deep insights, and stories that hit home. Meet Louis Louis Ruggiero turned his life around after years of struggling with addiction, gambling, and substance abuse. Now, he’s on a mission to amplify voices—from celebrities to everyday survivors—sharing their journeys of grit, growth, and healing. #AddictionRecovery #WeDoRecover #NothingsOffTheTable #LouisRuggiero #RecoverOutLoud #ComebackStories #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity #RightChoiceRecovery Disclaimer: The stories and views shared on Nothing’s Off The Table are personal experiences and not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for guidance on personal matters. Copyright: © Nothing’s Off The Table with Louis Ruggiero. All rights reserved. Feel free to share or embed episodes with proper credit and a link to our official pages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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