The Casino of Modern Life: Norman Chad on Meth, Monks, and Madness
If you think sports betting is wild, just wait until Norman Chad gets his hands on it. In this episode of Gambling Mad, Norman unearths stories so bizarre they almost defy belief — weaving together meth-taking monks, athletes harassed by angry gamblers, Chick-fil-A age restrictions, communist conspiracies, and a 10-year-old chess prodigy who’s already outsmarting grandmasters.
Welcome to the casino that is modern life, where the rules don’t make sense, the house always wins, and Norman Chad is your tour guide.
Sports Betting’s Growing Dark Side
Norman kicks off with a frank warning: gambling scandals are about to become more common in America than ever before. With the rise of prop bets and mobile wagering, athletes across tennis, boxing, UFC — even college sports — are now prime targets for corruption. The bigger problem? Everyday gamblers. With accessibility at an all-time high, addiction is surging, and reckless betting is becoming a public health crisis.
Norman compares the gambling industry to restaurants: if restaurants cheated customers, made them sick, and spat in their faces, they’d go out of business. Gambling? It thrives — even though the games are rigged and the customers are often ruined. It’s the very definition of an abusive relationship.
His advice? If you gamble, keep it recreational, not reckless. Set limits, let friends hold you accountable, and for the love of God — never bet on bowling.
Athletes Push Back: “Do You Really Think I Care About Your Parlay?”
The fallout isn’t just about money. It’s personal. Norman highlights NHL forward Brady Tkachuk, who revealed he’s been harassed by losing bettors demanding refunds for their bad wagers. His blunt response: “Do you really think I care about your parlay?”
It’s a sobering reminder that behind every ticket is an athlete — and more gamblers are crossing the line between fandom and harassment.
From Temples to Trouble: Meth in Thailand
From North America, Norman pivots to Thailand — where the headlines are stranger than fiction. An abbot charged with embezzling $9 million for online baccarat. A blackmail scandal involving monks, seduction, and $12 million blown on gambling. And now, the latest: four Thai monks arrested after testing positive for methamphetamine.
Their reasoning? To ease body pains and celebrate the beginning of Buddhist Lent. As Norman deadpans: meth is versatile that way.
The monks were immediately defrocked and sent to rehab — proving that even spiritual leaders aren’t immune to the temptations of addiction.
Chick-fil-A Becomes Rated R
Back in the U.S., Norman turns his sights on fast food. One Ohio Chick-fil-A has introduced a teen chaperone policy, requiring anyone 17 or younger to be accompanied by an adult over 21. Suddenly, waffle fries are as restricted as an R-rated movie.
It’s not an isolated case — a McDonald’s and Target in New York have done the same, barring unsupervised minors due to unruly behavior. Meanwhile, Norman jokes, he still has to call security just to buy soap at CVS, but can freely purchase a shotgun in Arkansas. Priorities.
Red Scares, Old and New
Next, Norman revives his hunt for communists across America. From Berkeley’s course catalog to Hollywood films, from Minnesota’s Gus Hall to the Communist Party headquarters in New York City, Norman confirms: “there are reds under every bed.”
The FBI even contacted him after a previous segment — proof that Norman is doing his patriotic duty, one sarcastic rant at a time.
A Chess Prodigy Who Breaks the Rules of Time
Not everything is doom and gloom. Norman shines a spotlight on 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan, the youngest person ever to earn the title of Woman International Master in chess after defeating a 60-year-old grandmaster.
How did she do it? An hour of practice a day, starting at five years old during the pandemic. Norman marvels: when I was 10, I was eating Fritos and drinking Fresca.
Forgotten Inventions, Favorite Films
In classic Gambling Mad fashion, the episode also detours into overlooked inventions (this week: hotel room service) and Norman’s Mount Rushmore of movies:
Casablanca
The Godfather, Parts I & II
His Girl Friday
The Princess Bride
Phone Addiction, MLS, and Final Laughs
Norman closes with reflections on phone dependence, a swipe at Major League Soccer (“I’d rather buy a Phillips screwdriver”), and even a mock freestyle poem about living life unplugged.
Through all the chaos, the message rings clear: modern life is a gamble. Sometimes we win, often we lose, but Norman Chad makes sure we laugh about it either way.
Listen to the full episode of Gambling Mad here:
[Trump’s D.C., Clay Travis & WNBA Chaos, and the Casino Smoking Debate | Ep. 52]
📍 Recorded at SLAP Studios LA
