Summary
The user interface of sports betting apps is designed to encourage frequent engagement, creating a fear of missing out among users. A recent NCAA study reveals that 67% of college students aged 18 to 22 have participated in sports betting, while a Common Sense Media report indicates that 36% of adolescent boys aged 11 to 17 have gambled in the past year. The normalization of gambling culture, particularly through social media and video games that feature gambling-like mechanics, raises concerns about the vulnerability of young men to addiction.
Sal Malik, a former gambling addict, shares his personal journey from casual sports betting to addiction, which led to significant personal losses and a struggle for recovery. He emphasizes the gradual nature of addiction, noting that it often creeps up on individuals rather than presenting as an immediate crisis. Malik now travels to schools to educate young people about the dangers of gambling, highlighting the importance of early intervention and the need for parents to engage in open conversations about gambling and its risks.
Experts and advocates stress the need for the sports industry to take responsibility by investing in prevention and education initiatives. They argue that simply providing a hotline number is insufficient for those already struggling with addiction. The conversation around gambling must evolve to include discussions about the emotional and psychological impacts of addiction, as well as the societal pressures that contribute to the normalization of gambling among youth.
Show Notes
Behind every betting app, ad and winning parlay are real people and sometimes, a cost no one else can see.
In Part 2 of our series on sports gambling, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy move from the business of betting to the personal toll, welcoming Saul Malek to share how a love of sports and fantasy baseball spiraled into a gambling addiction that consumed his college years.
Saul opens up about chasing bets, hiding debt, the strain on his family and the support that helped him find recovery. Drawing on her own sobriety, Abby joins him for an honest conversation about shame, secrecy and why getting help is rarely a straight line.
Together, they explore the warning signs parents can miss, the pull of betting culture for young people, and why prevention needs to start long before someone hits a crisis. It’s a conversation about what gambling can take and what it means to build a life beyond it.
Missed Part 1? Start with our conversation with sports historian Dr. Victoria Jackson about how we got here and what’s at stake for women’s sports.
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of gambling addiction and suicidal thoughts.
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If gambling is becoming a problem for you or someone you love, there are places to start.
National Problem Gambling HelplineCall or text 1-800-MY-RESET
https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/
Gamblers Anonymous Find in-person, virtual and telephone meetings.https://gamblersanonymous.org/find-a-meeting/
Gam-Anon Support for family members and loved ones affected by someone else’s gambling.https://gam-anon.org/
Follow Saul Malek’s work on gambling harm, prevention and recovery.
https://saulmalek.com/ https://www.instagram.com/saulmalekspeaking/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/
If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. https://988lifeline.org/
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