Matt Bowyer – Reporting to Federal Prison | October 10th

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Testimonials

Michael Santos

Founder of Prison Professors

I am deeply grateful for the meaningful contributions Mathew Bowyer has made to the Prison Professors Charitable Corporation. After facing his own challenges with the criminal justice system, Matt reached out—not to retreat into silence, but to volunteer his time, experience, and insight to help others. That act alone speaks volumes about his character.

Matt donated his book, Recalibrate, to our nonprofit, and we are now using it to develop curriculum that teaches others how to rebuild after crisis. His story offers a clear, practical model for cultivating a strong mindset, making amends, and finding purpose. Through more than 100 hours of volunteer work, Matt shared his entrepreneurial journey and helped us create programs that now reach more than a million incarcerated individuals nationwide.

His involvement strengthened our core offerings, including the Recalibrate Curriculum, Preparing for Success After Prison, Journaling 101, and our MasterClass Series. These programs give people in prison tangible tools for self-improvement—helping them develop communication skills, critical thinking, and a work ethic grounded in personal accountability.

What makes Matt’s contribution remarkable is that he gave so much of himself while navigating personal adversity. He embodies the truth that people are more than their worst decisions—and that redemption begins with service. His work with us continues to inspire hope and create real, measurable change for justice-impacted individuals across the country.

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Justin Paperny

Founder of White Collar Advice

What They’re Saying About Mathew Bowyer
I have immense respect for Matt Bowyer. Beyond being a close friend and mentor, I admire how he has responded to a government investigation. Many people, myself included, know how such an experience can leave you feeling paralyzed – unable to function or prepare properly. 

But Matt took a different path. He saw the challenge as an opportunity to lead for his family and rebuild, step by step.His work as an educator and content creator, focusing on the consequences of gambling and leading through crisis—or as he calls it, recalibrating—is remarkable. When people in our community need to speak with someone who is in crisis, I immediately connect them with Matt. As a husband and father of five, he wakes up every day knowing what’s at stake and refuses to let his past (or the government) define his future. He doesn’t make excuses, he doesn’t look for shortcuts—he just does the work, day in and day out. That’s why I introduce him to others. He’s real, and he leads by example.His book, Recalibrate, is incredibly engaging and fascinating, in part because of his total honesty and vulnerability in writing it. It’s clear he left nothing out and is willing to share all the good and bad of his life, including the tens of millions made and lost through his gambling. Matt has learned to use his experience with the criminal justice system as an asset that I expect will influence millions of lives in the years to come.I often share his story with those in the White Collar Advice community because it serves as a powerful lesson: don’t complain, don’t dwell on what’s lost, but instead, be grateful for what remains. There is so much to learn through crisis, and Matt is one of the best examples I’ve ever come across. I’m proud to call him a friend and fully endorse his recalibration.

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Ricky Stover​

Dear Honorable Judge Holcomb,

My name is Ricky Stover, and I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
I am currently facing a federal case related to a gambling addiction that led me down a dark and destructive path. My poor choices have deeply impacted my life, my marriage, and most painfully, my role as a father. This has been the most humbling and traumatic chapter of my life.

In the midst of this struggle, I came across Mathew Bowyer’s Instagram account. What I found
wasn’t the typical curated social media content it was raw, honest, and painfully real. Mathew’s
willingness to publicly own his mistakes, take accountability, and confront the consequences
head on has had a profound impact on me.

His transparency and courage in sharing how his decisions affected his family and how he’s
fighting every day to become a better man struck a deep chord with me. He doesn’t glorify his
past. He uses it as a warning and a wake up call. And for someone like me, that mattered.

What impressed me even more was that during a visit to Dallas for his daughter’s volleyball
tournament, Mathew took time out of his schedule to meet with me in person. We sat and talked
for hours two men who made poor choices, trying to make things right. That conversation
changed me. It reminded me that accountability isn’t weakness it’s strength. And redemption
isn’t about talking, it’s about doing the hard, uncomfortable work to change.

Since then, I’ve been attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, staying away from destructive
behaviors, and focusing on being present for my children. I credit a large part of that shift to Mathew’s influence not just his content, but his willingness to walk alongside others who are
struggling.

Judge Holcomb, I understand that our justice system is designed to hold people accountable. But 1 also believe it should recognize those who are using their pain and their past to positively impact others. What Mathew Bowyer is doing may be unconventional but it’s working.

He is making a difference. Not just in his own life, but in the lives of people like me.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this letter helps you understand just how far reaching and meaningful Mathew’s redemption journey has become.

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Daniel Real​

Letter of Support for Mathew Bowyer

Honorable Judge John W. Holcomb

Your Honor,

My name is Daniel Real, and I am the Founder and CEO of Exclaim Recovery. I am writing to you with the utmost respect and sincerity regarding the sentencing of Mathew Bowyer. I worked in the gaming industry for 28-years rising all the way to the C-Suite with Caesars Entertainment. I retired so I could spend some time focusing on my mental and physical health. I have long suffered from a ferocious gambling addiction and decided if I didn’t seek help, I would be dead.
A vital part of my recovery journey has been launching my own startup, Exclaim Recovery. It’s a mission-driven organization through which I’ve committed to dedicating the rest of my life to helping as many people as possible who are suffering from gambling addiction.
On July 4, 2025, I sent a DM to Matt via Instagram. I believed he had an opportunity to positively influence the lives of millions of young men around the world who are currently struggling with gambling harm.
To my surprise, Matt responded. We shared our personal views on gambling addiction and the best ways to communicate that message. Over the next several days, we continued to communicate…privately, through direct messages, not for public show. I began to see Matt in a different light.
Eventually, I asked if he would be open to sitting down with me for a recorded conversation. I offered to bring a film crew to his home. Without hesitation, he agreed. The interview hasn’t been released yet and won’t be before sentencing, but we spoke for nearly three hours. Matt answered every single question I posed—no dodging, no exceptions. These weren’t easy questions. With three decades of experience in the casino industry, I know the game well and can spot insincerity when I see it. But there was none. The conversation was honest, compelling, and deeply moving. Even the independent video producer, who had never met either of us before, remarked, “That was awesome.” It truly was.
Your Honor, no one is denying that Matt broke the law – least of all Matt himself. But I must offer perspective. When I worked at Caesars Entertainment, I was rewarded with large bonuses -sometimes as much as $300,000 to $400,000 a year – for bringing in high-rollers who would lose everything. Yes, it was legal, but let’s be honest about what that really was. I profited while others suffered.
Judge Holcomb, with the deepest respect, I ask you to consider an alternative to prison for Matt. What if, instead of being incarcerated and separated from his beautiful family, he was required to speak to college and professional athletes about the dangers of gambling? What if he used his story to educate and prevent future harm? He could speak at schools like UCLA, USC, Cal Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara, etc. These are places where young people are especially vulnerable in today’s gambling landscape.
Our nation is currently undergoing the largest and fastest expansion of legalized gambling in its history. At the same time, illegal casinos across California alone are generating billions of dollars in unregulated revenue. Do we believe Matt’s former clients simply stopped gambling? Of course not. They moved on to the next opportunity, the next provider. The machine keeps turning.
Let me be clear: I am not excusing Matt’s actions. But after getting to know him as a person and witnessing the love between him and his 4-year-old son, Kingston, as the boy ran into his arms – I felt compelled to write this letter.
Last year alone, over $200 billion—yes, with a “B”—was legally gambled and lost in the United States. It’s a staggering figure, and a clear sign of just how deeply entrenched gambling is in our culture.
What Matt did was wrong. No one is denying that. But no one was physically harmed, and he has taken full responsibility by pledging to repay the federal government in full. I genuinely believe that Matt has the capacity to contribute more to society by being out in the world educating others, especially young people, than by being locked away in a prison cell.
I would be happy to make myself available for further discussion.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

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Belinda Sims

Digital creator

There are people who come into your life, and you know your life is forever changed for the better just through knowing them . Mathew Bowyer is one of those rare individuals for me.

I first came across Matt on Instagram during a time when I was hiding behind my own fears and perceived limitations. Despite being someone who helps others transform their mindset and step into bigger visions, I was still hiding behind excuses, my own fears, and protective patterns that were keeping me stuck.

I was deeply moved by who he was being in a season that would break most. He was navigating it with strength, raw vulnerability, and a level of courage that I was blown away by. He was leading with courage, power, resilience, and truth.

And just by witnessing him, I felt deeply called forward in the best way.

My first thought was, “If Matt can keep showing up in the middle of all this, what’s my excuse?” In that moment, I called myself out. I stopped playing small.

Even before we spoke, Matt was impacting how I showed up in my life and work. In moments when I wanted to shrink, I would think, “If Matt can show up right now, then so can I.”

When I decided to launch a podcast, Matt was the first person I reached out to. I had a small audience, hadn’t released a single episode, and lived halfway across the world. I didn’t know if he’d respond, but not only did he reply within an hour he jumped on a call, and within five days, our episode was recorded.

In the interview, he dropped pure, transformational gold. What makes Matt different isn’t just what he says, it’s how deeply he lives what he teaches. He doesn’t preach perfection, he shares what is real and shows what is possible.

Every interaction I’ve had with him has left me expanded. An hour long conversation with Matt feels like ten minutes, and yet something profound always lands. He doesn’t just speak to your mind,he awakens something in your soul.

Through Matt, I reconnected to a version of myself I had forgotten. The courageous one. The one who moves. The one who leads. He didn’t give me something new,he helped me remember who I already was.

That is the true mark of a leader.

In a world where so many are performing for validation, Mathew Bowyer is a rare invitation to strip back the noise, return to your truth, and lead from the deepest part of who you are.

He’s here to impact lives.

And if you’re ready, he’ll awaken the part of you that was born to do the same.

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Lisa Patino

To Mathew Bowyer

I’ve known Mathew since junior high, where he was always that confident (maybe even a little cocky!) guy but underneath it, he was kind and thoughtful. We were more acquaintances than close friends, but years later, when I reached out to him through social media during a difficult time in his life, he responded with nothing but positivity and kindness.

Not long after, he even came into my all woman’s gym motivated By Lisa to give me pointers on running my business. The moment he walked in, I felt his energy his confidence and inspiring vibe just radiated. In only 45 minutes, he gave me practical advice that helped me grow and left me feeling truly motivated.

When I ordered his book Recalibrate, I thought I’d just be reading his story. Instead, it changed me. The way Mathew has faced challenge after challenge and constantly recalibrated for his next step is nothing short of empowering. It’s not just about bouncing back once it’s about the way he keeps shifting, learning, and moving forward with purpose. That consistency in recalibration is what makes his story so powerful.

There were chapters that gave me chills especially Chapter 6. The way he handled adversity with such courage and clarity showed me what resilience really looks like. Through his book, I’ve gained more confidence in myself to stand firm in my beliefs, chase my dreams, and stop sitting on the sidelines.

I’m about to step onto a stage for my very first motivational speaking event, and I can honestly say that Mathew’s story gave me the final push of empowerment I needed.

Mathew, you are a powerhouse. Your book is more than a story it’s a living example of what it means to recalibrate again and again until you rise into the person you’re meant to be.

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My book recalibrate

1# Best Seller

in Gambling Addiction & Recovery

A Raw Memoir and Practical Guide to Rebuilding Your Life After Adversity

In Recalibrate, Mathew Bowyer takes you inside his remarkable journey — from the high-stakes, hidden world of illegal sports betting to rebuilding a life anchored in integrity. With unflinching honesty and actionable advice, Bowyer reveals how to confront failure, rebuild trust, and create a future driven by accountability. Whether you’re overcoming a major setback or simply striving to live with more purpose, this book delivers hard-earned lessons and practical steps to help you recalibrate your own life.

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