8. Speak about gambling. Say: why gambling is dangerous; what makes young people start gambling; what one can do not to become a gambler or to stop gambling.

Speaking Points about Gambling:

• Why gambling is dangerous: It can lead to financial ruin, addiction, and severe debt, as illustrated by Jerry's story where he lost thousands of dollars and is in debt. It can also negatively impact relationships and mental health.
• What makes young people start gambling: Factors include the thrill and excitement, the possibility of winning money (like Jerry experienced with sports betting), peer influence, and the accessibility of online gambling platforms, which can be particularly enticing.
• What one can do not to become a gambler or to stop gambling:
  • Prevention: Understand the risks involved and be aware of the addictive nature of gambling. Avoid starting by recognizing it as a dangerous activity.
  • Stopping: If one is already gambling, acknowledge the problem. Seek help from family, friends, or professional support groups. Identify triggers and develop strategies to avoid them. Replace gambling with healthier activities. It can be difficult, and recognizing that one is 'doing wrong but don't know how to make my stop gambling' is the first step towards seeking solutions.

Vocabulary:

• to gamble ['gæmbl] - играть в азартные игры
• addiction [ə'dıkʃən] - пристрастие
• to bet [bet] - делать ставки
• a debt [det] - долг