No other gambling film captured this quite like Richard Kwietniowski’s Owning Mahowny. Based on a true story of one of the biggest one-man bank frauds in Canadian history, this film follows the ups and downs of Dan Mahowny, Toronto bank worker. This is a story that almost writes itself. Mahony is a banker with a gambling addiction problem. Jason Sobel detailed a series of gambling stories for the Action Network, including one on a night he’d spent at a party Mickelson was hosting. Sobel writes that the main event of the night was a.

1. Best Gambling Stories
2. Worst Gambling Stories
3. Gambling Addiction Stories Women
4. Great Gambling Stories Book

On this page we’ve listed a selection of our favorite gambling books. If you have an interest in gambling and like to read, then there’s plenty here for you to enjoy. In fact, many of the books listed here are absolute must-reads for the avid gambler.

We’ve covered three separate categories in our listings. We’ve got a strategy book category, featuring what we consider to be the best books for improving your gambling skills. Some of these can turn you into a consistent winner if you’re dedicated enough. All of them will at the very least help you to get the best possible value for money when betting and gaming.

Please note that we haven’t included any poker strategy books here. There are A LOT of them, and so we’ve covered them separately in our poker section.

The category for other non-fiction gambling books features a number of interesting and entertaining reads, such as true story accounts of the gambling world. For fiction books, we’ve included some great novels that are related to gambling in some way

Gambling harm isn’t just about losing money. It can affect how you feel.

We know it can be hard but talking about it means you can start to feel better.

Here are some real life stories of people who opened up and talked about the harm they were experiencing and got the support they needed. Now they share their story with you.

Lachlan's story

“Once I started to open up to people, I was amazed with the amount of support I had.” – Lachlan describes how he was worried to tell people about his gambling because of their reactions but once he opened up he was amazed at the amount of support he got.

View video transcript

Bayu's story

“I opened up to a friend about my gambling. The compassion and receptiveness she showed me ignited me to change.” Uni Student, Bayu, shares how talking helped him on the path to recovery.

View video transcript

Mario's story

“I’m a lot happier. It was the best thing I ever did.” – Mario, eight years of not gambling on sport, now calls himself a proper tradie and business owner.

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Ken's story

Best Gambling Stories

“Find somebody you love, that you trust, and sit them down and tell them. I should’ve done it years ago.” Former Police Sergeant, Ken, describes how lucky he was to have a supportive family

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Lynda's story

“It was hard for me to tell him, but when I did, he was so supportive that it made it easy for me.” Lynda describes how supportive her eldest son was by holding her hand while she called Gambler’s Help.

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Lynda talks about her counselling experience

“The counsellors have your back and they made me feel worthy”. Lynda describes how seeing a counsellor helped keep her on track.

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Anna's story

Worst Gambling Stories

'Having the support of others was essential and I wouldn’t have done it without them”. Anna lost 10 years of her life to the pokies and now shares her story of hope.

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Sunenna’s Story

“You’re not alone and help is available.” Sunenna says many people think their story is unique, but there are lots of people fighting similar battles.

Gambling Addiction Stories Women

View video transcript

Chandana's story

“You don’t need to keep it to yourself.” Chandana was shocked to find out about her partner’s gambling. She says that without the help of others, she could never have rebounded so quickly.

View video trancript

Gambling harm podcast: Inspiring stories of hope and recovery

There are many ways to seek professional and anonymous help for your own, or your loved one's problems with gambling.

Great Gambling Stories Book

If you need immediate help, please call Gambler's Help on 1800 858 858 or Gambler's Help Youthline on 1800 262 376 (from within Australia only). This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free and confidential.