Michael Mooney shares his personal journey through gambling addiction, tracing how childhood experiences gradually developed into a hidden and destructive pattern despite his recovery from substance use. The documentary follows the events that ultimately forced him to confront the addiction and begin rebuilding his life. Now working as a certified counsellor, he reflects on the challenges of recovery while offering hope to others facing similar struggles. Through his experiences, the film explores the complexities of behavioural addiction, recovery, and the possibility of lasting change.
Anthropologist Natasha Dow Schüll shares insights from her fifteen years of research into how slot machines are intentionally designed to encourage prolonged play. Drawing on interviews with casino designers, industry insiders, and people experiencing gambling addiction, she explains how features such as rapid game speed, immersive environments, and continuous rewards can draw players into the "machine zone"—a trancelike state where time, money, and self-awareness begin to fade. The discussion offers a compelling look at the psychology, technology, and design principles behind modern machine gambling.
A former AFL star shares the devastating consequences of gambling addiction in this honest and deeply personal interview. Reflecting on the rise and fall of his career, Daryn Cresswell describes how compulsive gambling gradually consumed his life, damaged his relationships, led to overwhelming debt, and ultimately resulted in a prison sentence. Alongside insights from his former wife, this resource highlights the far-reaching impact of gambling addiction while exploring the challenges of recovery, accountability, and rebuilding a life after everything has fallen apart.
