News Gaming Business Military Should Screen for Gambling Problems, says Government Report
The Department of Defense should screen military personnel for problem gambling, concludes a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The watchdog said it was concerned that the DOD had no clear guidance addressing gambling disorders, as it does with other disorders.
The GAO report was requested by Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was concerned that the DOD makes an estimated $100 million a year from slots, while not doing enough to help personnel who might suffer from gambling addiction. (Image: )
It also emphasized that DOD data, which showed that less than 0.03 percent of the average number of service members per year were diagnosed with problem gambling disorder, is likely to be misleading because few sufferers seek treatment directly.
DOD officials stated they do not screen for gambling disorder because they focus on mental health disorders that are high risk to overall readiness, high volume, and have validated measures for assessment, said GAO in its findings. While gambling disorder is not a frequently diagnosed condition, the preoccupation with gambling, financial hardship, and increased risk of suicide can pose a risk to individual readiness.
The report was requested by US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in 2015. Following the revelation that the DOD operates some 3,000 slot machines at US military bases across the world, she asked whether further resources were needed to help US servicemen battling gambling addiction.
The slots yield estimated annual revenues of $100 million per year, none of which goes back into funding problem gambling help programs for service members. This is despite the fact that Congress passed a law in 1951 banning slot machines from domestic US military bases.
The report found the machines are found predominantly in US army bases in Japan and Germany, while the Navy has them in Korea, Italy, Spain, Diego Garcia, Greece and Singapore.
If the military is going to operate gambling facilities that bring in tens of millions of dollars in revenue, it also needs to ensure there is adequate prevention, treatment, and financial counseling available for service members struggling with gambling addictions, said Warren.
Responding to the report, the DOD said it disputed the need for screening, although it added that it would amend its policies to promote education and awareness of problem gambling.
There is no evidence to suggest that gambling disorder is a high prevalence disorder in the DOD, and it is impractical to screen for every low prevalence disorder, it asserted.
But this ignores several studies that have indicated the opposite. Recent research by the University of Georgia, for example, found that rates of pathological and problem gambling were much higher than average among veterans, military recruits and current service members.
Research suggests that military personnel are at risk of experiencing negative consequences as a result of gambling related issues such as stress from financial debts, which may have a negative effect on military readiness, the study said.
Furthermore, military and veteran populations are more prone to substance abuse, mental health problems, and suicide, all of which are highly co-morbid with problem gambling.
Excerpt from:
Military Should Screen for Gambling Problems, says Government Report - Casino.Org News
- Riverside smoke shop raided in suspected gambling and narcotics investigation - The Press-Enterprise - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity here are three lessons from historic sports-betting ... - The Conversation... - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Casino Hubs: 5 Airports That Serve Major Centers Of The Gambling Sector - Simple Flying - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Dear Abby: Dad worries gambling boyfriend will get his hands on money he leaves his daughter - OregonLive - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers cancel NFL Rookie of the Year bet - USA TODAY - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Louis Ferrari expected to plead guilty in gambling ring case - Democrat & Chronicle - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Regulator who ushered in Louisiana gambling expansion resigns, bullish on Shreveport-Bossier - Yahoo Finance - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Alabama's push to legalize gambling dies in the state Senate - Montgomery Advertiser - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Researchers reveal the double-edged-sword effect of overconfidence on gambling - Medical Xpress - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Shohei Ohtani's ex-interpreter agrees to plead guilty in $17M sports gambling scandal - NBC Los Angeles - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Gambling Scandal of Ohtani's Ex-Interpreter to Receive TV Series - Tokyo Weekender - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- The rise of cryptocurrencies in online gambling - The Jerusalem Post - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Tennessee collects $7M in sports gambling taxes on $384.2M in wagers in April - The Center Square - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Key no vote on Alabama gambling bill suggests looking to next year Alabama Reflector - Alabama Reflector - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Effective Messaging Is Needed To Combat Illegal Gambling In US - PlayUSA - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Alabama legislative session adjourns with no final vote on gambling bill - Alabama legislative session adjourns with no ... - Focus Gaming News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Transnational Crime and Southeast Asia's Gambling Underworld - World Casino Directory - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- MLB Betting Predictions 5/13/24 | MLB Gambling Podcast (Ep. 480) - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota? - redlakenationnews.com - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Huge increase in young people 'gambling' on mortgages that expire in retirement - Yahoo News UK - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Premier League Matchday 37 Midweek (Games In Hand) Betting Picks | The EPL Show (Ep. 385) - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Best Bet For Monday (May 13th): NBA Predictions - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Speaker Ledbetter: 'We're going to see probably an expansion of more - 1819 News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Gambling goes down in the Alabama Legislature again; union fight nears end; and more on Alabama Politics This Week! - Yellowhammer News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- OPINION: When it comes to illegal gamblers in casinos, dont ask, dont tell - The Nevada Independent - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- This gambling tech stock might be the safest bet you'll make this year - Stockhouse Publishing - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Professional sport commissioners are fighting to preserve league integrity amid gambling scandals - The Conversation - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- State Sen. Orr: Gambling push 'sucked all the oxygen out' of passing - 1819 News - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Art Rooney II gambling his reputation that change will result in Steelers success - Still Curtain - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks - May 13 - SGPN - May 13th, 2024 [May 13th, 2024]
- Poole Researchers Uncover Tax Costs of Gambling - Poole College of Management - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Republican Cheryl Bean says casino gambling is not in the cards for Texas - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Local lawmakers, citizens react to the end of the Alabama gambling bill - Fox 10 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB commissioner gives update on Shohei Ohtani gambling investigation - USA TODAY - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- As gambling stalemate continues, former governor has suggestions on how it can succeed next year - wvua23.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Better Markets Applauds CFTC's Proposed Ban on Election Gambling To Prevent Election Interference and Protect ... - Better Markets - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Advocates seeking more revenue for problem gambling in MD will have to wait - Maryland Daily Record - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- West Virginia breaks state record, rakes in $20.68m of revenue in online gambling - WDTV - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- New Regulations For Gambling Consumer Protection Are Here! - Latest Casino Bonuses - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- After gambling standoff, Alabama lawmakers pass $9.3 billion education budget - Alabama Daily News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB Betting Predictions 5/11/24 | MLB Gambling Podcast (Ep. 479) - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Best Bet For Saturday (May 11th): UFC St. Louis Predictions - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Governor Ivey will not call special session to readdress failed gambling bill - WIAT - CBS42.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Internet gambling industry expected to grow - WDTV - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Gambling constitutional amendment dies with the Senate declining to - 1819 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Betting on the US market; the IT infrastructure of gambling - DatacenterDynamics - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB's Shohei Ohtani, Interpreter's Gambling Scandal to Be Featured in New TV Series - Bleacher Report - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Alabama voters are tired of waiting for Godot gambling bill - AL.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MGM National Harbor gambling revenue down 10% - WTOP - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- RIP GAMBLING 2024: House closes session by approving the education - 1819 News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- The End: The Money Picture Changes with Legalized Gambling - Gobbler Country - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Real Housewives Of Orange County Castmember Ryan Boyajian Reportedly Caught Up In $16M Theft And Gambling Scandal Surrounding Shohei Ohtanis Former... - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Gambling Safely: The Importance of Choosing the Righ... - HighstakesDB - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, agrees to plead guilty to 2 charges in gambling scandal - Yahoo Sports - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Charitable gambling to start at Hoops Brewing, will support the Duluth Curling Club - WDIO - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- TV series about Ohtani ex-interpreter gambling scandal in works - The Athletic - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Sports Is Betting It All On Gambling - Defector - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- MLB NRFI and YRFI Picks - May 11 - SGPN - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- TV Series About Shohei Ohtani Interpreter's Gambling Scandal in Development - Sports Illustrated - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Why would I do that? Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey says special session on lottery, gambling unlikely - AL.com - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - Dakota News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Proposed Alabama gambling legislation includes lottery, casinos, sports betting - AL.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl betting soars, but it's still not legal in Chiefs and 49ers home states - NPR - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Problem gambling has increased in Ohio since sports betting legalized - Hamilton Journal News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - KTIV Siouxland's News Channel - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports bets during the big game could trigger gambling addictions - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Illegal gambling raid at El Patron leads to 1 arrest and 23 citations - KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Experts discuss responsible gambling ahead of the Super Bowl - Spectrum News 1 - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling addicts face tough test as Super Bowl 58 descends on Las Vegas and NFL cashes in - USA TODAY - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- What are the NFLs gambling rules for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas? - The Athletic - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Personal Frontiers gets $45K to treat gambling addiction - Gillette News Record - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl Gambling Grows, But Pastors Are on the Sidelines | News & Reporting - ChristianityToday.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting leading to increase in gambling addiction - Dayton 24/7 Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Betting on the Super Bowl: Impacts of sports gambling in Ohio as state's help hotline sees jump in calls - WKYC.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling during the NFL Championship game will increase addiction rates - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Billionaires Are Trying to Bring Casinos and Gambling to Texas - Robb Report - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session - WBHM - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- DraftKings, helplines, and the hidden toll of sports gambling - The Boston Globe - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- The Super Bowl and gambling are locked in a tight and dangerous embrace - The Guardian - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling addictions on the rise due to online betting, experts warn ahead of Super Bowl LVIII - WLS-TV - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]