Matteo played 155 games with Liverpool between 1992 and 2000 before signing for Leeds United. During his time at the club, he played a key role on his way to the semifinals of the Champions League and was later captain of the team. He also enjoyed his time at Sunderland, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers, and represented Scotland internationally.
Since his retirement at the end of the 2008/09 season, Matteo has become a key figure in the field of safe gambling, thanks to his own experience in the fight against gambling addiction. He now works with EPIC together with his wife, Jess Matteo, as facilitators of lived experiences to raise awareness about gambling-related harm among professional athletes.
The former defender's gambling addiction began towards the end of his career while playing at Blackburn. At its worst, it bet GBP 500,000 in a single horse race and accumulated debts of more than GBP 1 million. His recovery began with the support of his wife, whose role, according to him, was fundamental to helping him rebuild his life. That support was vital once again in 2019, when Matteo was diagnosed with a brain tumor that required surgery and radiotherapy to save his life.
Since then, the couple has been dedicated to educating EFL, Scottish Premiership and PREM Rugby players on safer gaming measures. His work focuses on raising awareness, helping players detect the first signs of damage and connecting them with the right support.
According to SBC, Matteo's story will bring a powerful perspective to the SBC Summit Player Protection Forum, where he and his wife Jess will join Lycka for a live conversation on Tuesday, September 16, from 16:30 to 17:00 (local time). Jess will share her ideas on what it means to support a loved one with gambling addiction, including how families can find the right advice and access meaningful support.
Martin Lycka commented on the subject: "Dominic's trajectory is incredibly resilient. His willingness to talk openly about his difficulties and his fantastic educational work with athletes has a profound impact."
"That he and Jess join me in this live edition of The Safe Bet Show brings an essential human perspective to the broader debate on the protection of players. It is an honor for me to share the stage with both of them in Lisbon," he added.
The Player Protection Forum will take place during the three-day SBC Summit, from September 16 to 18. The first day will focus on regulation, the second day will explore the role of technology in player protection and the third day will be dedicated to research.
Passes to the event
VIP Pass: Access to the exhibition hall, all networking areas and conference sessions, complimentary food and drink from the summit gastronomic festival and access to exclusive networking sessions and night parties.
Group VIP Pass: Get your passes for only EUR 400 each when you buy for three or more people (a saving of EUR 200 per ticket).
Expo+ Pass: Access to the exhibition hall, conference sessions and daytime networking.
Pass Only for the Expo: A free option that gives access only to the exhibition room. It is ideal for people outside the gaming industry who want to explore possible collaborations. Does not include access to academies.
Operator and Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates can get a free VIP pass for events.
Dingnews.com 19/08/2025