The Kindbridge Research Institute has announced the establishment of the Military Gambling Awareness Committee (MGAC), an initiative dedicated to battling gambling-related harms within the military community.
A press release states that the MGAC aims to enhance the welfare and operational readiness of service members by ingraining awareness of and proactive measures against gambling-related harms in daily life in the military. The committee will collaborate closely with the military and the Department of Defense to identify policy gaps and offer guidance on potential adjustments.
By using an evidential approach based on data, programs, information and other resources, Kindbridge says the MGAC seeks to improve the Department of Defense’s approach to gambling, ultimately advocating for a more holistic public health approach within the military.
“The establishment of the Military Gambling Awareness Committee marks a pivotal step in Kindbridge Research Institute’s mission to support the mental health and well-being of our service members,” said Dr. Nathan D. Smith, executive director of Kindbridge Research Institute. “By bringing together a diverse group of experts, we aim to identify and address the gaps in current policies and provide comprehensive solutions that will enhance the overall health and readiness of our military personnel.”
The MGAC will be chaired by Mark Lucia, a senior military research associate at Kindbridge Research Institute whose firsthand experience with the mental health challenges faced by military personnel led him to a career in military mental health research.
Lucia will be advised by leaders including:
- Brianne Doura-Schawohl, founder and CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC whose experience includes as VP of US policy and strategic development for EPIC Risk Management and legislative director for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
- Richard Taylor, senior manager of responsible gambling at BetMGM and former U.S. Marine Corp
- Joe Solosky, managing director of sports betting at NASCAR and U.S. Naval Academy graduate
- Joseph Martin, CEO of Kinectify, former Marine Corp and ex-member of the U.S. Department of State
- Caroline Ponseti, communications strategist at Invariant, former media relations lead for the American Gaming Association and ex-press secretary for the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
- David Yeager, an 11-year U.S. Army veteran and gambling addiction recovery advocate who works as an intake specialist and gambling recovery coach at Kindbridge Behavioral Health
The NCPG estimated that around 56,000 service members meet the criteria for gambling disorder and suggested that veterans are two to three times more likely to develop a gambling problem than civilians.
“Our military community faces unique challenges, and gambling-related harms can significantly impact the well-being and readiness of our service members,” said Lucia. “The Military Gambling Awareness Committee is committed to creating a proactive, informed environment where we can address these issues head-on, fostering a culture of awareness and support within the military.”
Kindbridge says the MGAC is committed to aligning its efforts to support the Department of Defense in effectively addressing gambling-related challenges.
“With extensive connections across political, media, health, data, educational, operational, state, and athletic domains, the committee will focus on enhancing awareness, educating stakeholders, and promoting best practices,” adds the release. “This approach supports mental health initiatives, reduces stigma, and advocates for meaningful policy changes to boost military readiness and cohesion.”
Kindbridge’s wide range of gambling partners
Kindbridge is a name that has risen more to the fore in the responsible gambling industry in recent years, partly due to a raft of high-profile partnerships with industry leaders.
The company’s Kindbridge Behavorial Health unit, which develops action around the insitute’s research, unites with a variety of betting and gaming operators on research projects, funding and other player health supports.
In March, Kindbridge expanded its relationship with MGM Resorts, which donated $100,00 to the research institute in support of a voluntary medication trial for veterans experiencing gambling addiction in Las Vegas. BetMGM and Kindbridge Behavioural Health offer problem gambling referrals in numerous states.
In the same month, DraftKings and Kindbridge extended their Colorado therapy and treatment pilot program across all of DraftKings’ jurisdictions.
And earlier in June, PrizePicks came on board, uniting with Kindbridge in a move it said sets a new benchmark in the DFS industry.
