Comedians MC Muah and Lassy Marquez are known for bringing laughter onstage — but behind the scenes, they hid a painful truth: a years-long struggle with gambling addiction that nearly cost them everything.

In a candid sit-down on Toni Talks, the popular YouTube program hosted by Toni Gonzaga, the comedic duo revisited a dark chapter in their lives—when casino trips replaced sleep, jewelry was pawned for quick cash, and millions in savings vanished in the blink of a slot machine’s lights.

It started with grief

Both MC and Lassy were grieving the loss of their parents when they first turned to gambling. What began as a means to escape emotional pain quickly spiraled into a full-blown addiction.

“After ng comedy bar, sabi ko, ‘Saan ako pupunta? Baka hindi ako makatulog,’” MC recalled. “May naghikayat sa akin. Sabi niya, ‘Ito oh, para maaliw ka.’”

There were no online betting apps back then. It was the allure of the actual casino — its lights, energy, and the hope of quick wins — that pulled them in.

From small bets to big losses

At first, Lassy hesitated. But seeing her friends so energized by the casino scene, she eventually joined—and hit a small jackpot on her first try. It was a classic case of beginner’s luck, one that would later cost her dearly.

MC, on the other hand, had already lost his grip.

“Halos araw-araw, gabi-gabi kaming nagsusugal,” MC admitted. “Pumapasok kami sa taping nang walang tulog, dire-diretso mula casino.”

The biggest blow? Losing P800,000 in a single night.

“Pinagtrabahuan namin ‘yun. Naipon,” MC said, visibly emotional. “Pero ‘yung addiction, parang may boses na sinasabi sa ‘yo, ‘Kaya mo ‘yan bawiin.’ Hindi mo namamalayan, two hundred, three hundred, hanggang naging five hundred [thousand] na pala ang talo mo.”

Lassy confessed to pawning her jewelry — “ang dami kong alahas,” she said — but only managing to pay off the interest, unable to reclaim what was lost.

Eventually, the financial damage reached over ten million pesos between them — accumulated from 2011 to 2016. Five years of addiction masked by laughter and performances.

“Hindi kami proud,” MC emphasized. “Pero kaya namin ito ikinukuwento ngayon, para maging babala sa iba. Walang panalo sa sugal.”

A call for help

Now in a better place, the two comedians are choosing transparency and accountability. Their hope? That by sharing their story, others who are secretly struggling will find the courage to step away—before it’s too late.

“Kung may pinagdadaanan ka, hanap ka ng paraan na hindi ka masisira,” Lassy said. “Kasi sa pagsusugal, ang akala mo aliw… pero unti-unti ka na palang nauubos.”