Former South Carolina trial attorney Chris Swett pleaded guilty in March 2026 to stealing at least $1.5 million from his clients and law firm to fuel his gambling addiction.

He spoke exclusively to GamblingHarm.org while he awaits federal sentencing.

He says his family has stuck by him and he is working to rebuild his life.

“I put my wife’s name on the fraud that is sending me to federal prison,” Swett said. “She found out from the FBI, not me. I pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. I will be going to federal prison soon. I deserve what’s coming.”

But he was also preyed on by an industry.

VIP hosts gave him luxury sports packages to the Masters and NBA games so he would continue gambling vast sums. On one gambling app, he placed bets totaling over $11 million in just a few years.

He was plied with free bets even when attempting to quit or take a break from gambling.

He lost millions on gambling in casinos across the U.S. and online.

He spent nearly $1 million on fantasy sports gambling within South Carolina, where traditional sports gambling is illegal.

Check out our interview below.

You can follow his journey via his Substack, Writing from the Inside.