Daryn Cresswell – From Fame to Addiction

Introduction

In this gripping special with Sunday Night, an Australian TV program, former Sydney Swans player Daryn Cresswell opens up about his struggle with gambling addiction. Cresswell, who played for the Swans from 1992 to 2003, shares the harrowing details of how his addiction spiraled out of control and nearly destroyed his life. In 2010, his gambling debts led to him being convicted of bank fraud, resulting in a 10-month jail sentence.

During this interview, Daryn Cresswell reflects on the impact of his actions, the personal toll it took on his relationships, and the long road to recovery. His story is one of regret, redemption, and a hard-fought battle against an addiction that almost cost him everything. In 2013, Cresswell took another step in confronting his past by releasing a book, offering readers a deeper look at his journey and the lessons he’s learned. You’ll also hear from his former wife to get her point-of-view on how his addiction impacted her.

This interview not only highlights his personal struggles but also sheds light on the wider issue of gambling addiction, particularly in the world of professional sports, where such challenges are often hidden behind the spotlight. Daryn Cresswell’s candidness in sharing his story is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of resilience and change.

Quotes

“Daryn Cresswell now runs to control the gambling addiction that destroyed his life. 8 years ago, he was one of the Sydney Swans players of the century. Today, there’s a long line of angry friends, family and creditors in his wake.”

“Two weekends ago, he walked out of a Queensland jail after serving 10 months for defrauding a bank to fuel his compulsive gambling. Now that he’s out, he wants to speak out gambling and sports.”

“My thought process was just clouded by winning and betting. Nothing else came into the equation whatsoever.”

“When you can’t meet obligations, house repayments, child care, car payments, you realize I’m in pretty deep here, how am I going to get out of this … I was trying to win back to pay people that I owed, to try and pay the rent and pay for cars, try and pay for the kids’ education. And in the end, I had two attempts to try to end it all.”

“I couldn’t [stop]. I just couldn’t. It was an every day thing. I was like an alcoholic, I couldn’t stop. I didn’t understand what I was doing … I was just completely out of control.”

“The temptation to bet has never been greater, not just for players but for all of us. Gambling has gone mainstream on the small screen. Gambling advertising, particularily sports betting, is in your face, it’s everywhere. There’s something really wrong when a 7-year-old can quote you the odds for a game.”