Paul Fung lost his education, career and close family relationships to gambling, but hitting rock bottom finally encouraged him to seek help and turn his life around.

Mario Bird found gambling at 16 and says it was a match made in heaven. Now, after a hard-won recovery, he wants young men, in particular, to know what it can do to your life.

Having bet on horses since he was 17, Bill says winning streaks always end the same way: losing big. But his final winning streak ended when he was also stricken with grief. Today, helping others, he feels better than ever about himself.

What started out as a childhood hobby led me to the dream job where I could live and breathe betting and racing. But along the way it consumed my life.

After nearly 30 years of a destructive pokies addiction, Ann has drawn the line, with support from her family and a group of ‘lovely, caring’ people to whom she’s bared her soul, but never met.

A strict childhood and difficult marriage left Elizabeth with little self-confidence. Free at last at 50, the pokies seemed a safe place for a woman her age to go. She now volunteers for Gambler’s Help.

Two-time AFL premiership winner Brent Guerra had a big win on the races in 2011. It made him feel on top of the world, but ended up being the worst thing that has ever happened to him.

Tyrone Mitchell grew up with gambling around him, and now it’s all his friends want to do at the pub. He wants his community and his mates to realise what they’re losing and to break the habit.

Carolyn went to prison before she sought help for her gambling addiction. She now says it was probably the best thing that ever happened to her, and urges others to seek help early.

When eight-year-olds can name four or five gambling companies without drawing breath, sporting codes, broadcasters and governments must take responsibility.