In a pivotal move toward addressing behavioral health challenges within the U.S. military, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a provision that would include gambling addiction as a research topic under the Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP) for fiscal year 2026. If passed into law, this marks the first time gambling disorder would be federally recognized as a subject of military medical research.
The provision was introduced through bipartisan efforts led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and gained broad backing from more than two dozen National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) state affiliates, alongside key stakeholders in the gambling industry including FanDuel, BetMGM, and MGM Resorts International.
Federal Support for a Growing Behavioral Health Concern
Advocates argue that the decision represents a major shift in how gambling addiction is viewed in the military health system. Though a 2019 federal mandate requires annual screening for gambling disorder among military personnel, the absence of dedicated federal research funds has significantly hampered treatment and early intervention efforts.
“The Committee’s action will finally give researchers, local VA clinicians, and military health officials the ability to better understand and address gambling addiction among those who serve,” said Derek Longmeier, President of NCPG’s Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to our allies in Congress, industry partners, and the public health community for making this progress possible.”
Military Communities Disproportionately Affected
Data from recent NCPG studies underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. Nearly 20 million American adults reported engaging in at least one problematic gambling behavior “many times” over the past year. While gambling-related risk appears to be stabilizing in the general population, servicemembers are estimated to be twice as likely as civilians to suffer from gambling problems.
Even more alarming, nearly 40% of veterans receiving treatment for gambling addiction have reported suicide attempts—highlighting the severe consequences of untreated gambling disorders.
“Servicemembers and Veterans facing gambling addiction deserve the same level of support and understanding we’ve worked to build around PTSD, depression, and other behavioral health challenges,”Senator Luján stated. “This provision is a critical step toward recognizing the realities our military community faces and ensuring the federal government invests in the basic, foundational research needed to support recovery.”
Next Steps for the Bill
Now that the provision has cleared the Appropriations Committee, the FY26 Senate Defense Appropriations Bill will move to the full Senate for further consideration. If ultimately enacted, the bill would create a formal, federally funded path for investigating gambling addiction within military settings—empowering VA clinicians, military health professionals, and researchers to develop data-driven strategies for prevention and care.
The NCPG continues to advocate for expanded recognition and resources to combat gambling addiction, particularly within high-risk groups like military personnel. The move also reflects broader global concern; just recently, China’s navy issued its own warnings about the dangers of online gambling targeting young recruits.
Source:
“National Council on Problem Gambling Celebrates Senate Action on Military Gambling Addiction Research”, ncpgambling.org, Aug 4, 2025
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