Jontay Porter
Executive Director
Open Gate Project
Hope is waiting on the other side.
At Open Gate, we walk with you toward healing and recovery. A new chapter can begin today.
Prevention
Our goal is to make awareness and connection the first line of defense through honest storytelling, education, and open dialogue.
Intervention
We guide individuals in moments of crisis toward trusted care through our curated network of treatment providers and partners.
Restoration
We create small groups that foster connection and accountability, helping people sustain recovery and discover personal growth.
Jontay's Story
I started Open Gate Project to help others, but it also became part of my own redemption story. Gambling addiction took control of my life beginning in 2020. Over time the problem got worse, and in a desperate place I turned to illegal betting. When everything became public, I was banned from the NBA. That moment brought shame, confusion, and a loss of identity. I felt isolated from friends and family who barely recognized the person I had become.
Therapy and support helped me find a way forward. Over time I realized I wanted to reach people who feel trapped in the same darkness I once faced. Some are beginning to slip and do not realize how quickly things can unravel. Others have already lost so much and feel like the only answer is to chase one more bet. Gambling addiction isolates and convinces you that you are alone. I was fortunate to have people who guided me through recovery. Many do not have that kind of help. That is why Open Gate exists.
We aim to be the kind of lifeline I wish more people had. A place shaped by lived experience. A place where people feel understood rather than judged. We connect individuals to expert led care, peer support, and clear steps toward healing. Open Gate is grounded in the full reality of gambling addiction, including the emotional and financial strain it creates along with the personal damage it leaves behind. Our mission is to meet people where they are and help them move toward stability and hope. We are not here to simply talk about the problem. Our goal is to give people a hand when they feel like they have run out of options and help them reach solid ground again.
With gratitude,
Open Gate is a remarkable nonprofit that serves as a pillar of education, awareness, and ultimately recovery for individuals and their families that are struggling with gambling addiction across the United States. We are honored to support Open Gate's crucial mission.