A former Florida gambling helpline director who stole $1.4 million from his previous employer to fund his gambling addiction was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison, according to Casino.org.
- Philip Sullivan stole the money while working as chief financial officer at Royal American before becoming the helpline director.
- Sullivan shared his personal struggles with individuals who sought treatment from the helpline.
- Sullivan’s family argued that prescription Adderall worsened his gambling addiction.
Bay County Judge Tim Register sentenced Philip Sullivan to 118.5 months last Friday after he pleaded no contest to six felony charges, including grand theft, per WMBB News.
Gambling helplines are meant to support individuals struggling with addiction, financial difficulties, and other problems associated with gambling.
As director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s helpline, Sullivan was responsible for daily operations, staff, and outreach.
Sullivan, formerly the chief financial officer at Panama City property management company Royal American, was arrested in March 2024.
An internal audit at Royal American revealed unauthorized transactions on a company-issued credit card, leading investigators to uncover Sullivan’s gambling habit. He stole $1.4 million over 11 months.
Addiction and accountability
While his case was pending, Sullivan was named helpline director in March 2025.
Sullivan appeared on an ODAAT Gambling Awareness podcast episode three days before his sentencing. He described how his addiction depleted his savings and left him deeply in debt, which fueled further gambling as he tried to recover his losses.
Sullivan also shared his experiences with people seeking help for problem gambling. According to the podcast description, he continued gambling in hopes of winning enough to repay the stolen money.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Sullivan’s family argued that prescription Adderall, commonly used to treat ADHD, contributed to his behavior. His wife, Mallory, testified that she noticed a marked change after he began taking the medication and said she firmly believed he would not have stolen the money without its influence.
Prosecutors disputed the family’s explanation, presenting evidence that Sullivan planned the thefts and took steps to conceal them. Royal American controller Shannon Scribner testified that Sullivan used company credit cards to purchase gift cards and cash cards online and manipulated financial procedures to hide his actions.
Judge Register ordered Sullivan to begin serving his sentence immediately. He has 30 days to appeal.
