Former Tecumseh superintendent tells gambling addiction story

Former Tecumseh Superintendent Brad Martin and his wife shared his gambling addiction story in a YouTube video posted by Maryhaven One More Chance, a Columbus organization dedicated to assisting people suffering from addiction.

Martin is currently serving a six month jail sentence in Clark County Jail after he stole from the Tecumseh school district and went to casinos on work time.

“That’s when it started and it progressively got worse and worse,” Martin said, referring to his gambling addiction becoming an issue after several racinos opened in the Dayton area. “You’ve got to recognize you’re a compulsive gambler.”

The former superintendent was ordered to pay back $44,830 to Tecumseh Local Schools.

Martin said he sought help for himself shortly after the school district placed him on leave.

The former school leader said there were elements of gambling that drew him in and made him an addict.

“When you get in there, it’s just the lights, the glamour…the fact that you can be the next millionaire without having to work for it,” Martin said. “I could not leave no matter what I did.”

Martin said that since he’s received addiction treatment he hasn’t had an urge to return to gambling and fears that if he ever does, he will lose his family.

If you have a gambling problem you can contact the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700.

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