Tony O Reilly says the addiction cost him his peace of mind.
The rate of problem gambling among 15 and 16-year-old boys has doubled over the last 5 years.
Teenagers in the midlands will be given talks on the consequences of the addiction and the signs of a problem developing in the coming months.
Over 3,400 young adults between 14-16 in Ireland may be betting excessively.
Tony O'Reilly is part of the Extern Problem Gambling Project and he will be sharing his story of how he became front page news after he stole €1.75m from An Post.
His first bet of €1 eventually rose to €10m.
The Carlow man's addiction cost him his marriage, home and freedom but has since gotten his life back on track and is now an addiction counsellor.
The Co-Author of "Tony 10" and his colleague Barry Grant have been speaking with Will Faulkner on the Midlands Today Show:
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