The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell21 Des 2025

Pro Gambler Exposes World Of High-Stakes Betting, Laundering Drug Money, Working As FBI Informant

What does it really look like to live as a professional high-stakes gambler at the very top of the casino food chain? In this episode, Johnny sits down with RJ “Chip” Ryan — a legendary blackjack whale who spent decades betting millions per hand in casinos from Atlantic City to Las Vegas to Macau. RJ tells the raw, unfiltered story of how he went from a broke gambler driving to Atlantic City with his last $5,000, to carrying $10 million in checks, flying private jets, rubbing shoulders with billionaires and celebrities, and taking casinos for millions of dollars at a time. RJ is also known to many as “Robin Hood of Las Vegas” from the Cocaine Cowboys universe — the man who helped launder cartel money through casinos, later cooperating with the feds and offering a very different version of events than what’s been told on screen. This episode dives deep into: -The real math and psychology behind winning at high-stakes blackjack -How casinos court, reward, and ultimately try to break whales -Blowing millions in a single night — and coming back the next day to win it all back -Private jets, penthouse suites, celebrity parties, and casino politics The emotional toll of gambling, addiction, loyalty, karma, and survival -RJ’s personal reckoning after caring for his mother, losing everything, and betting his life on one final run This is not a glamorized gambling story — it’s a brutally honest look at the highs, lows, wins, losses, and moral gray zones of a life lived on the edge. Stick around until the end and decide for yourself: Was RJ a genius, a degenerate, a hustler — or all three? This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Ridge! Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/CONNECT #Ridgepod CashApp! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Betterhelp! This December, start a new tradition, by taking care of you. Our listeners get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: High Stakes Gambling Stories 01:19 Growing Up in Philly & The Family Hustle 04:44 Early Gambling Influences & Lessons 08:09 Professional Gambling: Setting Goals 13:19 The Turning Point: Mother’s Illness and Debt 16:35 This Episode Is Sponsored By RIDGE 18:25 Building a High Roller Reputation 29:01 Life as a Whale: Jets, Parties & Big Wins 36:46 Vegas High Roller Lifestyle & Big Losses 43:34 A Word From Today's Sponsors 46:15 International Gambling & Casino Barred Stories 01:00:53 Advanced Blackjack Strategy & Discipline 01:12:12 Vigilante Gambler: Involvement With Law Enforcement 01:28:01 The Robin Hood 702 Charity Era 01:37:08 Australia, Owen Hanson & The Money Laundering Allegation 01:58:46 Confrontations, Lawsuits & Truth vs. Documentary 02:12:08 Working with the Feds: Taking Down Criminals 02:31:02 Cartel Connections & Final Reflections 02:38:44 Outro: The High Roller’s Ongoing Journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(241)

Baltimore Drug Kingpin Reveals Making Millions Selling Heroin For The Mafia

Steven Dixon, a former Baltimore heroin kingpin, reveals how the city’s drug trade really worked during its most notorious era—from New York suppliers and mob connections to high-purity heroin, street...

16 Aug 1h 34min

Florida’s Next Governor Declares WAR On AIPAC, Mass Surveillance & AI Data Centers

Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback joins The Connect to explain why he believes it’s time for a political revolution at the state level—and why Florida must stand up to Washington, Wall St...

12 Aug 1h 29min

How A Teenage Drug Kingpin Built A Meth Empire at 16

His mom was a queenpin. His dad was the muscle. By 16, he was selling meth and building his own operation in small-town Texas. In this episode, Cory Simek, a former teenage meth dealer reveals what...

9 Aug 2h 4min

Ex-Cop Sentenced to 20 Years—Then Forced to Fight for His Life in Prison

A former sheriff’s deputy says one split-second police shooting turned him from a respected officer into a convicted murderer—and sent him to Texas prison for 20 years. In this episode, Kent McGowe...

5 Aug 2h 22min

The Real Marlo Stanfield From "The Wire" Breaks His Silence

The real-life Marlo Stanfield sits down for his first podcast interview. In this exclusive episode, Marlo Bates — known across Baltimore as Marlo Stanfield — opens up about the story behind one of ...

2 Aug 1h 31min

How An Abuse Victim Took The Law Into His Own Hands...

Clark Frederick’s life changed forever after years of grooming and sexual abuse by Dennis Pegg, a Boy Scout leader and sheriff’s lieutenant trusted by his family and community. Decades later, after...

29 Jul 1h 55min

Gang Leader Exposes the Dark Truth About Texas Prisons

Anthony Sanchez shares his raw journey from childhood trauma and Houston street life to serving more than 10 years in the Texas prison system—and ultimately rebuilding his life after release. In th...

26 Jul 2h 41min

Inside The U.S.-Israeli Military Merger & The A.I. Surveillance State

Inside the growing U.S.–Israeli military partnership, AI surveillance technology, data centers, cybersecurity firms, and political lobbying are becoming increasingly connected. In this episode, inv...

22 Jul 1h 3min