Chris Swett, a former trial attorney, now faces federal prison time due to a gambling addiction that devastated his legal career. In March, he pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and four counts of money laundering, having embezzled $1.5 million from clients and his firm, Motley Rice, to feed his addiction from 2018 to 2024.
In a recent exclusive interview with CasinoBeats, Swett opened up about his struggles with gambling and his current efforts to assist others battling similar issues through his Substack, "Writing from the Inside," and a related podcast.
As he awaits sentencing, which could extend up to 20 years, Swett has prepared his family for his absence over the holidays. "I’m letting my family prepare for me not to be here for Christmas," he shared.
The 43-year-old, originally from South Carolina and currently residing on Johns Island near Charleston, built a successful career at Motley Rice, renowned for handling class-action lawsuits. Swett appeared to have it all: a high-paying career, three sons, and a daughter. Yet, his gambling addiction escalated significantly from April 2022 to April 2024.
During this period, he recorded a staggering $11 million in play at FanDuel, primarily through daily fantasy sports (DFS), despite South Carolina's ban on sports betting. Swett particularly engaged in a daily NBA contest with a $3,300 entry fee, averaging six entries per day, even while managing trials and balancing family commitments.
His losses amounted to over $800,000 at FanDuel alone during these two years, with total gambling losses reaching around $1.3 million, often visiting casinos in every city where work took him, including The Wynn in Las Vegas.
As his financial situation worsened, Swett admitted to taking drastic measures. "I couldn’t pay my mortgage. I eventually put a second mortgage on my house behind my wife’s back to chase my losses, and one thing led to the other," he recounted. While he acknowledges the prevalence of gambling addiction and the financial strain it causes, he expresses shame over his decisions during his addiction, emphasizing it consumed his thoughts at the time.
Attempts to quit proved unsuccessful as he continually succumbed to temptations, especially due to incentives from FanDuel. "I’d quit for a week or two, and I’d get an email from my host with offers for tickets to sporting events or free contest entries," Swett said. VIP treatment included access to major sporting events and lucrative promotions based on his gambling activity.
Swett described a particularly enticing offer: earning 6% back on a monthly betting handle of $750,000. "I just kept losing and needed more money," he explained. His relationship with a FanDuel VIP host began on October 24, 2019, as he crossed the threshold of $25,000 monthly entries, which qualified him for special treatment.
A spokesperson from FanDuel stated that VIP customers receive regular responsible gaming communications, including tools to help manage gambling habits.
In tackling his addiction, Swett found writing therapeutic, spurred by court-mandated counseling. "I struggled with gambling even after losing everything. I lost my career, but even after I got fired, there were six months where I still struggled with gambling," he admitted. Writing prompted him to confront his actions, particularly as he realized he risked becoming a hypocrite by continuing to gamble while advising others.
His honest writing resonated with many, including a dentist and fellow professionals who reached out for support. Currently managing a Waffle House, Swett remains committed to using his experience to help others, stating, "If I can help one person, it’s worth it."
