My Gambling Addiction Led Me to Prison
In January 2000, I walked the 100 or so yards from my wife’s car to the gate of the Federal Prison in El Reno. I was beginning what would be a five year sentence for bribery. I had been a State Government Official who was trading favors for money. We’re not talking big money, less than $20,000, but wrong still the same. I was not using this money to support my family, or to pay medical bills. I did not live a lavish life style, or drive a fancy car. I used the money to support my compulsive gambling habit. This was the worst day of my life and that of my wife and family.
Some five years earlier, I had started frequenting the local horse racing track in Oklahoma City with some friends. It started as a fun and interesting outing. Being a competitive person, I wanted to win and wanted to know how the game was played so as to improve my chances of winning. Over the next few years, I progressively became totally immersed in horse racing and how to gamble on horses. My two dollar bets became twenty and my hour at the track turned into all afternoon, or whenever I could get away.
Then it got worse. I became ill and was put on some steroid medication that had some negative side effects. I became obsessed with gambling to the extent that I borrowed money to gamble, sold things to gamble, and ultimately took bribes to support my gambling addiction. I was out of control.
I sought help through treatment and Gamblers Anonymous, but I thought they were wrong; I was smarter than them and could get this under control. I couldn’t. I got arrested. I went to prison. I left my wife alone to fend for herself and deal with the fallout. I lost my retirement benefits, I lost my IRA contributions to my fine and I became a convicted felon with so many negative collateral consequences.
During my stay in prison, I resided in four different Federal facilities in Oklahoma and Texas. I also had to spend a year in the Oklahoma County jail. There is no club fed, especially at the county jail. Prison is not a good place to be. It is hard on you, but even harder on your family. So very hard on your family. It doesn’t get much easier when you get out.
Compulsive gambling is a disease. I try to not judge people and their decisions, but will offer this advice. If you have never gambled, don’t. If you do gamble, you risk the possibility of losing the ability to control your impulses. If you think you may have a problem with your gambling, then you do.
-Brent VanMeter, Oklahoma
At the time of his arrest in May 2000, Brent VanMeter had a Masters Degree in Engineering and was the Deputy Commissioner of Health for the State of Oklahoma. He oversaw the operation of a state agency with 2000 employees and a budget in excess of $200 million. Today, Brent is working at a local veterinary clinic where he bathes dogs and helps around the clinic.