He got hooked on betting at age 11. By college he gambled 15 hours a day.
Teens Hooked on Betting Apps: A Growing Concern
A Cautionary Tale in Plain Sight
In Hunting Valley, Ohio, Saul Malek has become a symbol of caution for young people across the nation. Once a promising student, he now stands as a living example of how technology can lure even the most disciplined teens into a world of constant risk. At 28, Malek addressed a group of students at University School, a private institution in Cleveland, sharing his journey from a casual bet to a life consumed by gambling.
Malek’s story began with a $10 wager on a baseball game during his teenage years. What started as a simple thrill escalated into a destructive spiral, leaving him with $25,000 in debt by age 21. “You don’t even realize that what you’re doing is harming you as it’s happening,” he told the audience, a warning he later repeated to younger students.
“So who are my sports fans in the room?” Malek asked, as teenagers in dark blazers and button-down shirts listened intently. Hands shot up, signaling the widespread appeal of betting culture among youth.
Today, students like those at University School are no longer just exposed to gambling—they’re immersed in it. From apps that track individual plays to platforms betting on global events, the accessibility of gambling has transformed the way young people engage with entertainment. Parents, too, are increasingly aware, with many noting the ease with which their children can fall into the habit.
From Skins to Spreads
Kurt Freudenberg’s path to addiction began at 11, when he traded valuable “skins” in video games for digital currency to fund online bets. Within weeks, the sixth-grader was wagering thousands daily on blackjack and roulette, driven by the adrenaline of instant wins.
“It felt like a high, an extreme rush,” Freudenberg, now 23, recalled. “Nothing compared to that high on gambling.”
As he progressed, Freudenberg expanded into sports betting, focusing on NBA and NFL games, and even offshore crypto casinos. His obsession grew so intense that by high school, gambling became a shared pastime among peers. “We thought he was gonna say it was drugs,” said his mother, Kim Freudenberg, when he revealed his addiction in college.
By the time Freudenberg entered college, his gambling routine had become relentless—15 hours a day, often at the expense of basic needs like hygiene or class attendance. His mind was constantly tethered to spreads and odds, a reality that resonates with many teens in similar situations.
Data Reveals a Widespread Problem
National statistics on gambling addiction among teens remain sparse, but localized surveys highlight alarming trends. A recent Common Sense Media study found that nearly one-third of boys aged 11 to 17 gambled within the past year, including sports bets, lottery tickets, and poker games with friends.
In Massachusetts, a smaller survey revealed that approximately 10% of young gamblers experienced “problematic gambling,” disrupting their personal lives, relationships, or academic performance. These findings underscore a growing crisis, with clinics reporting a surge in teenage patients seeking help.
Elizabeth Thielen, a senior director at Nicasa Behavi, noted the shift in demographics. “When I started, most clients were in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. Now, it’s much younger,” she observed, reflecting on the changing face of gambling addiction in America.
