In this episode of the Straight to the Point Talking Shop Podcast, I spoke with Anita Ondine-Smith, Responsible Gaming Ambassador at FanDuel and author of Assist: How to Help a Loved One with a Gambling Problem Without Losing Yourself.
“You have to get comfortable having uncomfortable conversations.”
“Approach the conversation with compassion and curiosity, not control.”
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Anita opens up about her personal journey supporting her husband, former NBA player Randy Livingston, through his gambling addiction, and how they now help others dealing with the same struggles.
This experience led her to write the book she desperately wished she had during those difficult times, which she described as a practical guide offering a “menu of options” for loved ones facing similar situations — whether you know someone struggling with gambling addiction or not, Assist is a really good read with a lot of suggestions to improve your outlook on life.
One of the things Anita stressed was getting comfortable with uncomfortable conversations and approaching them with compassion and curiosity rather than control or confrontation to avoid common responses like denial and defensiveness.
We also explore how the legalization of sports betting has changed the landscape, increasing accessibility through mobile apps and exposing younger people to gambling risks at earlier ages. That’s one of the reasons Anita and Randy are passionate about prevention, particularly educating youth through open conversations about addiction through their Trusted Voices platform, conversationsaboutbetting.com, which provides resources for parents, coaches, and mentors.
We also discussed the ressures of modern athlete harassment via social media, contrasting it with Randy’s story of early exposure to gambling and going from being the top basketball recruit in the nation to having his career derailed by injuries.
One of my favorite parts of Assist, was Anita’s focus on the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences who support growth and help push you toward filling the void with healthy activities and connection.
Beyond gambling-specific advice, the episode offers broader wisdom on addiction as a disease often masking deeper trauma, the power of human connection in recovery, and practical self-care strategies. Whether you’re supporting someone with a gambling problem or simply seeking better ways to navigate life’s challenges, this conversation is filled with empathy, practical tools, and hope.
Anita’s message is clear: recovery is possible, and loved ones can help without losing themselves.
You can order Assist by clicking the image below:
