#PGAM2025: ‘I couldn’t do it on my own’

Greg Weber was an incredibly successful professional poker player, but his tendency to wager the wrong amounts in secret led to him losing everything he won on the tour – and more.

Now a consultant for EPIC Global Solutions, the New Jersey native spent years living a double gambling life, before a series of big losses and interventions from those close to him led to his eventual decision to seek help and try to make sense of what had been happening in his life.

He spoke to us as part of our ongoing ‘Seeking Understanding’ series of features, part of this year’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

“They were monumental,” he says, of the first people to help him to start to understand what he’d been going through.

“Gamblers Anonymous helped me so much in the beginning of seeking help. During Covid, I reached out to Jeff Wasserman who works with the Delaware Council on Problem Gambling.

“He has been my mentor and person I talk to every week. His Recovery Group on Zoom is how I recover now. There are meetings every day and I can relate to everyone and their stories. I couldn’t do it on my own.”

It was this helping hand that ensured Greg started to understand the magnitude of the crisis situation he’d been living in.

“I didn’t fully grasp the full scope of my gambling until I entered recovery for my addiction. It was a gradual process, and I ignored all the warning signs and wasn’t able to admit that I had a problem.

“After losing all of my prior poker winnings and going in six figures of debt, almost losing my girlfriend, and my mental health being at an all time low, I decided to get help. Once my mind was free from gambling, I was able to realize all the harm I had done.

“During my active addiction, no one knew what I was going through. ‘Hidden addiction’ is such an accurate description of this disease. I was able to hide the big monetary losses and all of the mental health problems – depression, anxiety, insomnia. When I came clean in 2020, it was only then that people close to me realized what I was going through.”

Five years on, he’s combining two very rewarding careers – one as a firefighter and another in his consultant role for EPIC – and is delighted that he can give something back after the help he received, and help others to understand the gambling-related harm that can occur without realization.

“It is amazing to be able to spin my addiction into something positive. After some time in recovery, I needed something more.

“Working for EPIC gives me purpose. It may sound corny and cliche, but I always think that if I can reach one person in every room that I speak it then I am doing a good job. Selfishly, I also do it for me. Raising awareness and telling my story keeps me accountable and on the right path. 

“There have been several instances while delivering to student-athletes for our NCAA program where I had athletes come to me after sessions to discuss family members, friends, and their own struggles with gambling and addiction in general. These are the most rewarding conversations and show that we are making a difference with what we do.”

Alongside helping others, Greg still continues to benefit from the backing of organizations that offer ongoing support to those whose lives have been turned upside down by problem gambling. That extended hand of friendship is something that he doesn’t take for granted, and uses it for the betterment of himself and everyone around him.

“I have made it a point to continue to attend meetings and work on myself,” he concludes.

“This addiction has given me an opportunity that many others never get, to really take a deep look at myself, my addiction, and try to become a better person.”

Take a deeper dive into EPIC’s range of safer gambling services here…