Former NYX, SG Digital and OpenBet marketing supremo Huw Thomas has launched Recovery in Gaming, an alcohol and drug recovery community for people in the gambling industry.
Recovery in Gaming is holding its first meetings at the SBC Summit in Lisbon from Sept 16th-18th. Here, we speak to Huw about the origins of Recovery in Gaming and his plans for its future.
You’re launching Recovery in Gaming at SBC Summit in Lisbon next month. What are the aims of the project?
The aim is to create a safe space for people in the gaming industry who are in recovery from alcohol or drugs – or even just curious about it. A big part of recovery is about connection and honesty, and that’s really what we’re trying to build. No one should feel like they have to go through recovery alone, especially in an industry where pressures and temptations are everywhere.
I’ve got together with three other people who work in the gaming industry and they’re in recovery too. We’re carrying a message of hope and a platform of support for those who need it most.
We’d also like to begin helping organisations understand alcoholism and addiction so if there are any CEOs or CHROs who want to know more about Recovery in Gaming, we’d love to hear from them ([email protected]).
What has been the genesis of the project? What needed to happen for you to get into this position for launch?
It grew out of my own story. I hit my rock bottom over a decade ago, and recovery gave me a way out. After years of sobriety, I saw that there were plenty of people in our industry quietly wrestling with the same issues around drugs and alcohol. Recovery in Gaming is about turning those quiet conversations into something more structured and supportive.
Having helped a lot of people over the years, I was conscious there was a bigger job to do. There are plenty of other industry and professional recovery groups around the world like ‘Doctors in Recovery’ and ‘Lawyers in Recovery’. Now, we’ve got a small group of people in the gaming industry who are willing to offer support and guidance alongside physical and virtual recovery meetings.
We’re also globally connected so it’s not a Europe or UK thing. It’s also not an iGaming thing – it’s for anyone in the world who works in the wider gaming industry who has a desire to stop drinking or using.
Alcohol in particular is a big element of some networking parties. How difficult are industry events for those in recovery?
They can be tough. Anyone who’s struggling with alcohol or drugs is probably well known for being ‘the life and soul’ of parties. But underneath, there’s real pain for some. Parties and events can feel like a huge challenge in early recovery and in this industry they’re often where networking happens.
That’s why having meetings and community get togethers at events matters. It gives people the chance to stay connected, grounded, and sober while still showing up professionally. From my own experience, avoiding parties can lead to a feeling of isolation too so we’re hoping we can bridge the gap for those who need support. We’ll be organising dinners and social events for those who need an alternative too.
What do you anticipate the typical structure of a meeting to be?
First of all, anyone who comes to a meeting doesn’t have to share or speak if they don’t want to. We’ve all been there ourselves and people will find them extremely welcoming, supportive and helpful. We share our experience, strength and hope. Sometimes it’s as simple as someone with a year or more sobriety sharing their story and others finding connection to that. Other times, we read something related to recovery and people share back on that or anything else that’s on their mind.
Our number one priority is anonymity. There’s still a lot of stigma associated with addiction and alcoholism and we’re here to help those who need a safe space. You’d be surprised how much laughter and joy there is at recovery meetings. They’re very special places that become a lifeline to many.
Why have you adopted the ‘traditional’ 12 Step Program of Recovery? Is there room for people following other recovery plans?
Absolutely. Our Recovery in Gaming community really only has one entry requirement – a desire to stop drinking or using. So yes, anyone who has that desire, irrespective of their recovery plans, is welcome. The 12 steps is how we all got clean and sober. Some of us through Alcoholics Anonymous and others through Narcotics Anonymous. We’ve found it helpful to use this format and one day at a time, it’s helped keep us on the path. When I first got sober, I just wanted to feel like I wasn’t alone with my addiction. That’s exactly what you get with Recovery in Gaming. A group of like-minded people who help each other get better.
If someone wants to get involved, what should they do? Can involvement in meetings be discrete?
We’ve got a website: www.recoveryingaming.com. You can also join our WhatsApp group.
You can message me too: [email protected] or +44 (0) 7585 306 330, or just show up at a meeting. We’re also hoping to get this message out to anyone who can help us raise awareness of our community.
At SBC in Lisbon, we’ll be meeting every day in Meeting Room 2.7. The room is available for Recovery in Gaming for the duration of the event.
Schedule
0930 – 1030: Recovery in Gaming Breakfast Social (Tues/Weds/Thurs)
1300 – 1400: Recovery in Gaming Lunch Social (Tues/Weds/Thurs)
1700 – 1800: 12-Step Recovery Meeting (Tues/Weds only)
Anonymity is one of the foundations – we protect it fully. You don’t have to give your name, and you don’t have to speak. For some people, listening is enough. For others, sharing can be life-changing. Either way, you’ll be in a room where your recovery and your anonymity is respected. If you know of someone who is in recovery or is maybe starting to think about recovery, we’d love you to share our details.
What are the plans for the future?
Lisbon is our starting point and we’re really grateful to Ras and the SBC team for helping us get started. We’ll be taking Recovery in Gaming to all the major conferences and events worldwide. Over time, we’ll look to build resources, run awareness sessions for companies, and create a network that’s there year-round. The long-term goal is simple: to make recovery a visible, normal, and respected part of life for anyone in the gaming industry who needs it. Like all community start-ups, we’re wide open to connections and ideas to help us share our message of hope.
Given the comorbidity of gambling addiction with other addictions (like alcohol and drugs), is this something you feel will be included in the Recovery in Gaming project in the future?
Great question… Our focus is really on drugs and alcohol. Never say never to gambling or other addictions but we’re starting with what we know. It’s quite a big project as it is, so we’ll get that up and running and go from there.
