Giannis / Recovering Gambling Addict
Gambling addiction is a growing crisis worldwide, affecting millions of lives across all ages and backgrounds. The rise of online betting platforms has made gambling more accessible than ever, leading to an increase in cases of addiction.Classified as a behavioral addiction, it leads to financial ruin, troubled relationships and serious mental health disorders.Studies show that around 1-3% of the population in developed countries struggle with a serious gambling addiction, while in Greece the situation is alarming as around 1 in 20 Greeks display problematic gambling behaviour, with young people particularly vulnerable. Giannis, now 33, is from Aliveri, Evia. He developed an early passion for football and at the age of 15, he moved to Panionios to pursue his dream of being a successful professional football player. However, his life took a turn when he became involved in gambling at a young age. This addiction to gambling consumed his life, leading him into a vicious cycle of trying to break even that led him to steal from his family and put himself in dangerous situations.Ultimately, he found help in a rehabilitation center and now he shares his story publicly to raise awareness about gambling addiction and help young people avoid the same path.