Published on: May 12, 2026, at 03:33h.
Updated on: May 12, 2026, at 03:35h.
- A prominent television production firm is on the lookout for former problem gamblers who have successfully turned their lives around.
- Magilla stands out in the realm of unscripted television, known for popular shows like “Moonshiners” and “Long Island Medium.”
Casting Alert: The television company behind hit series such as “Moonshiners” and “Long Island Medium” is searching for gamblers for its upcoming project.
Magilla Entertainment has gained prominence in New York City’s unscripted television sector.
The company boasts an impressive portfolio that includes “Moonshiners,” “Long Island Medium,” HGTV’s “Bargain Hunt,” Discovery’s “Constables on Patrol,” and ID’s “Who Hired the Hitman?” In 2011, they also created a special for the Travel Channel titled “Ultimate Travel: Vegas Insiders.”
Recognized as a primary production entity for various cable channels, Magilla is focusing on the increasing trend of sports betting and other gambling types. With gambling now more mainstream, there are rising concerns over escalating instances of problem gambling, particularly among younger males.
Seeking Recovery Stories from Problem Gamblers
Magilla is crafting a program “in partnership with a notable platform” aimed at emphasizing the necessity of responsible gambling. The studio is currently holding a casting call for participants willing to share their “true, real-life narratives of adversity, resilience, and recovery.”
Individuals who have faced significant challenges due to gambling but have successfully navigated their way back are invited to apply.
If this resonates with your experience, please reach out at [email protected]. Applicants should submit a brief video of one to two minutes detailing their story, along with their name, location, contact number, and social media links.
“Your narrative could serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for others,” stated Magilla.
Filming is scheduled to take place in New York City on Friday, May 22.
Surge in Gambling Activities
Following the US Supreme Court’s pivotal May 2018 ruling that empowered states to decide on the legality of sports betting, the commercial gaming sector has consistently achieved record-breaking revenues.
In 2025, gross gaming revenue from commercial non-tribal operators, including casinos, iGaming, and sports betting, reached a staggering $78.72 billion, reflecting a 9.2% increase from the previous year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record-setting GGR. Notably, this figure excludes revenue from tribal gaming, lotteries, prediction markets, online sweepstakes casinos, or skill-based games.
The normalization of sports betting has broadened gambling opportunities that were previously confined to Nevada, local bookmakers, and offshore gambling websites, leading to an unprecedented rise in gambling activities.
Sportsbooks and their casino affiliates have effectively transitioned sports bettors into casino gamblers. The recent rise of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket has further diversified the range of betting options available to Americans.
The push for responsible gaming is heightened by the fact that prediction market participants must be at least 18 years old. Advocates for responsible gaming warn that exposing young people to platforms that facilitate betting on events like the NBA Playoffs and the upcoming PGA Championship could lead to a notable increase in gambling-related issues in the future.
A recent Morning Consult study found that 77% of Americans are concerned that prediction markets may “amplify gambling-related harm among younger individuals.”
As reported by Casino.org in April, the latest federal fiscal year saw a sharp 11.9% rise in non-personal bankruptcy filings in the United States, marking the highest number of personal bankruptcy filings since 2019.