National Council on Problem Gambling Request Problem Gambling Research for Military Personnel

The National Council on Problem Gambling cited several medical papers showing military service members are at higher risk of gambling addiction.

Ziv Chen - News Editor at Covers.com
Ziv Chen • News Editor
Jun 30, 2025 • 14:02 ET • 4 min read
Photo By - Imagn Images.

The National Council on Problem Gambling has requested that research into problem gambling among active military members and veterans be included in the FY 2026 defense appropriation bill. 

Key Takeaways

  • The National Council on Problem Gambling has requested that medical research into gambling addiction in military personnel be included in the GY26 defense appropriations bill 
  • The letter was signed by 24 state affiliates, BetMGM, FanDuel, and MGM Resorts
  • The National Council on Problem Gambling cited several medical papers showing military service members are at higher risk of gambling addiction

The request was made by letter to Senators Mitch McConnell and Chris Coons, who both sit on the Senate Appropriation Committee’s Subcommittee on Defense. McConnell is also the chairman of the subcommittee.

“Despite the high prevalence and risk of gambling addiction amongst our service members and veterans, there is a lack of comprehensive research on how to best treat, intervene, and prevent this mental health issue within the military population… Strong bipartisan support for gambling addiction research for improved screening, treatment, and recovery will allow for lifesaving efforts for many of your constituents who have chosen to serve our country and their families," the letter said. 

That letter was also signed by online gambling operators BetMGM and FanDuel. The company behind half of BetMGM, MGM Resorts International, also signed the letter along with 24 state affiliates. 

Medical research suggests veterans at risk of problem gambling

Data cited by the National Council on Problem Gambling suggests that veterans are significantly more at risk of problem gambling than the general population, and that those struggling with problem gambling are more at risk of further harmful behaviour.

One study found that military personnel’s problem gambling scores were double the rate for civilians, while another found that 40% of veterans seeking treatment for a gambling problem attempted suicide.

The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program has a fact sheet about problem gambling in the military, showing that 9.8% of active duty service members showed signs of problem gambling in 2002. That’s old data, but all feeds into the problem that the NCPG is trying to mitigate.

U.S. companies and lawmakers continue to focus on responsible gambling

Gambling companies across the U.S. have shown a commitment to responsible gambling and treating problem gambling in 2025. BetMGM and MGM Resorts increased their commitment to responsible gambling before signing the National Council on Problem Gambling’s letter funding gambling research through the Kindbridge Research Institute and Kindbridge Behavioral Health in March 2025.

Meanwhile, New Jersey lawmakers have been considering a bill to enforce mandatory gambling education in high schools in the state. That bill has been co-signed by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. 

Pages related to this topic

Ziv Chen
News Editor

Ziv has been deep in the iGaming trenches for over 20 years, long before most people could spell "geolocation compliance." With a background in marketing and business development at some of the biggest names in gambling tech, Ziv knows the industry from the inside out. Since joining Covers, he's turned his sharp eye (and sharper keyboard) toward everything happening in the fast-moving world of online gambling. Whether it's new state launches, the latest twists in regulation, or what the big operators and game providers are cooking up next, Ziv breaks it all down with clarity, context, and just the right amount of snark. He covers the business side of betting, from affiliate trends and revenue reports to the tech powering your favorite slots. His motto in writing is “let’s make it make sense without putting you to sleep.”

When he’s not tracking gambling legislation or looking for the next breaking story, Ziv is living and dying with every pitch and play from his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. As a Pitt graduate, it’s a city loyalty forged in heartbreak, but one he wouldn’t trade for anything, except maybe a few more playoff wins.

When away from the keyboard, Ziv loves to hit the road and soak up the energy of casinos. Whether strolling the neon jungle called the Vegas Strip, or wandering into a smoky riverboat casino in the Midwest, Ziv’s in his element. He’s the guy chatting with players, blackjack dealers, and asking pit bosses way too many questions, all in the name of “research,” of course. The casino floor isn’t just his workplace, it’s a weird and wonderful ecosystem of flashing lights, wild characters, and pure sensory overload, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Popular Content

Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo