Bravo to Michael Korpi!

All in & betting on himself: Recovering gambling addict walks across country
Jessica VanderKolk

FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Michael Korpi’s recovery from a gambling addiction has come one day at a time, the same way he’s handling a journey on foot from Washington state to Boston.

Korpi is walking across the country to raise awareness for gambling addiction.

Korpi began his walk in Port Orchard, Wash., last Oct. 4. He plans to arrive in Boston in time for the National Council on Problem Gambling’s annual conference, which starts June 29.

He started gambling in high school, playing cards with friends for low stakes. He continued playing in college, escalating to stealing money from friends. His first college suspended him for funding his online gambling with stolen bank account information and credit cards.

Last April, his second college did the same, which is when something clicked.

“What keeps me from the urge is being open about it,” he said, adding that being on the road helps. “The biggest challenge for me, both in walking and quitting the habit, was more mental than physical.”

Korpi has received encouragement, nourishment and couches to sleep on during his travels, and otherwise camps or stays in pet-friendly Motel 6s with his dogs, Blackjack and Buddy.

He has received a few emails from addicted gamblers.

“It’s encouraging to me,” he said. “I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to have their life ruined by a gambling addiction.”

After the conference, Korpi plans to finish school.