The Gambler (1974) Axel Freed, a College Professor and very successful at his job, is a gambling junkie who wins big but loses it all at the same time. He borrowed from his girlfriend, his wealthy mother, and last but not least a Loan Shark from the Mob. It just gets worse for him because he loses all his cash each time and acts like it doesn't matter. But when his Girlfriend decides to leave him, his Mom decides to disown him, and the Mob wants to kill him, Axel decides to make a big score to win big and pay off everyone to stay alive and keep his dignity and come out ahead.