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Gambling Addiction Speaker Shares Personal Journey with Students

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A man in a striped shirt is speaking into a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.
  • Speaker Program
Gambling Addiction Speaker Shares Personal Journey with Students

 Saul Malek, a 26-year-old recovering gambling addict, spoke in chapel this week to share his personal story about the dangers of sports betting and gambling addiction among young adults.

In his talk to students, titled "Why RISK your life? LIVE IT!", Mr. Malek recounted his own experience, which began with a simple $10 bet during college and quickly escalated into a destructive pattern of addiction. He noted that increased access to gambling significantly raises the risk of addiction, adding that online platforms have made gambling more and more accessible.  

National surveys reveal that gambling among young men, particularly sports betting, is on the rise compared to the general population."The topic of gambling addiction should be given the same level of attention and discussion as other important wellness topics, such as substance use prevention, sex education, relationships, and mental health awareness," said Director of Health and Wellness Hope Rupley.  

Now five years abstinent, Mr. Malek has made it his mission to educate others about the risks of gambling, drawing from his experiences featured in the New York Times and on the Dr. Phil Show.

In addition to his student presentation, Mr. Malek also conducted a separate session with parents and guardians to raise awareness about youth gambling. His visit was a part of the Belmont Hill Speaker Program. 

A man in a striped shirt is speaking into a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.
The image shows a presentation or lecture taking place, with two individuals standing at a podium in front of an audience seated in the room.
The image shows a person standing at a podium in front of a large projection screen displaying the word %22RECOVERY%22 against a teal background, with an audience of people seated in front of the podium.
A young man in a striped polo shirt is standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone, with a wooden chair and a wall with a decorative emblem visible in the background.
A man is standing at a podium in front of a large projection screen displaying an image of another man.
An elderly man with glasses and a dark jacket stands at a podium, addressing a large audience of young people seated in rows behind him.
A large crowd of people, mostly young men in suits, are seated in a grand, ornate hall with a balcony and stage at the front.
Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Rupley, Mr. Malek, Ms. Schmunk

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