Martin Lycka proudly welcomes Dominic Matteo from Liverpool to the SBC Summit 2025.

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Martin Lycka is set to host the live edition of The Safe Bet Show in collaboration with EPIC Global Solutions at the highly anticipated SBC Summit 2025, just a month from now. To mark this special occasion, Lycka will be joined by none other than Dominic Matteo, the former Liverpool and Leeds defender, sharing insights on safer gambling. Dominic Matteo, a seasoned soccer veteran, graced 155 matches with Liverpool from 1992 to 2000 before moving to Leeds United. After retiring at the close of the 2008/2009 season, he found a new purpose in advocating for safer and responsible gambling. Lycka is thrilled to welcome Matteo, highlighting the significance of his involvement: Dominic’s journey is a testament to amazing resilience. His courage to openly discuss his struggles and his educational outreach work with athletes leaves a profound impact. Having him and Jess with me for this live edition of The Safe Bet Show offers a vital human perspective to the critical dialogue on player protection. I am truly honored to share the stage with both in Lisbon. Matteo is uniquely equipped to address these issues, having faced his own challenges with gambling and finding the strength to triumph over them. Now, he seeks to guide others towards that same strength. He, along with Lycka, EPIC Solutions, and SBC Summit, understand the hurdles that gambling addicts face. Working with EPIC Solutions, Matteo's wife and Jess contribute as Lived Experience Facilitators, drawing from personal battles with gambling to raise awareness of its potential impact on professional athletes. Matteo's journey could have been heartbreaking, but he turned adversity into a mission to help others. In his darkest times, he recalls placing a £500,000 bet on a single horse race, at one point accruing a £1 million debt. His wife's support played a crucial role in his recovery, and she has also become an advocate for addressing problem gambling. In yet another twist, Matteo was diagnosed in 2019 with a brain tumor that had been dormant since childhood. Matteo’s life is a powerful story of overcoming the struggles tied to gambling addiction. His presence at the SBC Summit enriches the Player Protection Stage, a dedicated platform where those like Jess and Matteo amplify the voices that need to be heard the most.