Key Moments:
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that updates to military health guidance on gambling disorder have not been properly implemented by the US Department of Defense (DOD).
- In fiscal year 2024, 185 active-duty service members were diagnosed with gambling-related problems.
- The Senate Appropriations Committee recently included gambling disorder in the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program, aiming to direct federal research funds to this issue for the first time.
GAO Warns of Unaddressed Gambling Risks in the Military
The Government Accountability Office released a report saying the US Department of Defense failed to prevent gambling harm among service members. The report, issued on 22 September, showed that the Department ignored updated health guidance. These updates were designed to safeguard military personnel against gambling disorders.
In January, the DOD updated its substance use instructions to include gambling disorder, but the GAO found that the new rules failed to assign clear responsibility. The report stated, “The instruction does not identify a party responsible for implementation of certain tasks such as designating staff who will be trained to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat gambling disorders.” The Defense Health Agency has not set a timeline for further guidance, leaving military branches without clear direction to update their internal policies.
Rising Cases and Unaddressed Harms
In fiscal year 2024, doctors diagnosed 185 active-duty service members with gambling-related problems. Data from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) indicates that military members are at twice the risk of developing gambling problems compared to civilians, with nearly 40 percent of veterans who seek treatment reporting suicide attempts.
Cole Wogoman, Director of Government Relations at NCPG, commented, “Problem gambling among servicemembers and veterans has been overlooked despite clear evidence that they’re at higher risk and often face more severe consequences.” The Kindbridge Research Institute has responded to these concerns by forming a Military Gambling Awareness Committee in 2024, aimed at reducing such harms within the armed forces.
Concerns Over Slot Machine Oversight Abroad
The GAO also drew attention to slot machines operated by the military on overseas bases, raising concerns about a lack of consistent responsible gaming safeguards. Additionally, they found that existing instructions often omit requirements such as addiction warning signage and access to support resources. The report stated that clearer responsibilities and service-level updates are essential steps for the Pentagon to better respond to gambling harm.
| Recommendation | Status/Response |
|---|---|
| DHA should issue detailed implementation guidance defining roles and responsibilities. | DOD has agreed and plans to implement. |
| Each military branch should establish timelines for updating guidance on gambling disorder. | DOD has agreed and plans to implement. |
Federal Research Support Gaining Momentum
Congress has begun to act. Earlier this summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee added a provision to the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill to include gambling disorder in the Defense Department’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program. This would represent the first time federal research funding is specifically directed at gambling problems in the military. NCPG and leading gaming operators such as FanDuel and BetMGM have backed this measure. Wogoman stated, “Federal research funding is a key missing component in effectively addressing the issue. Gambling has long been embedded in military culture, from informal wagers to slot machines on overseas bases. Yet despite the evidence of elevated risks, federal investment in public health solutions has lagged behind.”
Growing Exposure and Underserved Needs
Experts and veterans have pointed out for years that gambling addiction in the armed forces is widespread yet underrecognized. The Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed in July that both active and retired military members showing signs of gambling disorder are rising at a sharp rate. In some areas, more than 10 percent of servicemembers are suspected to be problem gamblers.
The impact of this vulnerability can be seen in severe outcomes; according to the NCPG, “Nearly 40 percent of veterans who seek treatment for gambling addiction report having attempted suicide.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
