A new report from the supreme auditor agency for the federal government has warned that not enough is being done to prevent and protect against military members suffering gambling problems.
A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published Sept. 22 provided recommendations for the Department of Defense (DOD) after finding that updated guidance for treating military gambling problems is not being adequately implemented.
The GAO noted that the DOD revised its instructions on substance use to include gambling disorder in January and outlined steps the department and military services should take to help tackle the issue.
However, it determined that the guidance did not properly identify which parties should be responsible for implementing the guidance, leading to a gap between theory and practice.
“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, and DHA [the Defense Health Agency] has not established a time frame for issuing implementing guidance that would do so,” wrote the GAO. “According to officials, the services have not updated their guidance to meet the new requirements for gambling disorder.”
Military gambling issue prevalent
The GAO stated in its report that there were 185 active-duty service members with a gambling-related diagnosis in fiscal year 2024.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) research last year found that military servicemembers are twice as likely as civilians to experience gambling problems, and that almost 40% of veterans who seek treatment for gambling addiction report attempting suicide. Last year, the Kindbridge Research Institute established a Military Gambling Awareness Committee dedicated to battling gambling-related harms within the services.
“For too long, problem gambling among servicemembers and veterans has been overlooked despite clear evidence that they’re at higher risk than civilians and often face more severe consequences,” NCPG Director of Government Relations Cole Wogoman told SBC Americas in August 2025
The GAO report added that military services operate slot machines at certain bases overseas to provide recreation for service members and other members of the community. It stated in its report that military services’ instructions relating to those gaming operations do not consistently include guidance with clear requirements for responsible gaming practices, such as requirements for posting signage identifying the signs of gambling addiction and who to contact if help is needed.
“By defining all roles and responsibilities for gambling disorder prevention and treatment, and by ensuring that subsequent updates are made to service-specific guidance to meet the new requirements for gambling disorder, DOD can increase its ability to address issues related to gambling among service members,” added the GAO.
The GAO ultimately made nine recommendations to the DOD, including for the DHA to issue implementation guidance that defines all roles and responsibilities not explicitly assigned in DOD guidance, as well as for each military service to establish a time frame to review and update guidance to implement requirements.
According to the auditor, the DOD agreed with the recommendations and outlined plans to implement them.
Senators push for federal funding
This summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee included a provision within the FY 26 Defense Appropriations Bill to add gambling addiction to the DOD’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). That would ensure that the federal government provides funding for the first time for research to examine the armed forces’ gambling problems and develop viable support and prevention.
The measure was backed by the NCPG and major gaming operators such as FanDuel and BetMGM.
“Federal research funding is a key missing component in effectively addressing the issue,” Wogoman said at the time. “Gambling has long been embedded in military culture, from informal wagers to slot machines on overseas bases. Yet despite clear evidence that servicemembers and veterans face elevated risks for gambling problems, federal investment in the public health response has fallen short.”
