By Douglas Holl, Defense Health Agency-Public Health When a service member is struggling, the signs can often point to familiar stressors like anxiety, depression, or sleep problems. But according to military mental health experts, these symptoms can mask a deeper, often hidden issue: problem gambling. As access to online betting and new, unregulated prediction markets grows, this quiet threat poses a direct risk to the financial stability, mental health, and overall readiness of the force — prompting the Department of War to take a closer look.
“Most people don’t walk in asking for help with gambling,” said Lt. Col. Isaac Lopez, a clinical psychologist with the Defense Health Agency-Public Health in Aberdeen, Maryland. “It’s a problem we often uncover when talking about other things, like financial trouble or stress at home. There’s a lot of guilt and shame that makes it hard for people to speak up.”
A new frontier: More ways to bet than ever before The landscape of gambling is evolving faster than regulations can keep up. It’s no longer just about sports betting. New prediction markets let you bet on everything from elections to celebrity news, often disguised as financial trading apps. Because they don't call themselves "gambling," these platforms are available in all 50 states. This gamification of finance blurs the line between a smart investment and a risky bet, making it more appealing and dangerous for a young, competitive, and tech-savvy military population.
For service members, particularly those under 21 or stationed in states where sports betting is illegal, these platforms offer an easily accessible, 24/7 gateway to gambling-like activities. "Technology has allowed almost instantaneous access, leading to potential significant swings (loss versusgains) of finances,” said Lopez. "This could be detrimental for service members, primarily younger enlisted with lower income."
The statistical reality and a call for research While the full scope of problem gambling in the military remains under documented, a 2018 study led by Matthew Beymer at DHA-PH in Aberdeen and recently published in the American Journal on Addictions found that approximately 1.6% of active duty service members were identified as experiencing gambling problems. His research revealed these individuals had 3.1 times greater odds of suffering from severe psychological distress.
The data show that a small gambling problem rarely stays small. It's often connected to other issues that can impact your health and career.
“While the percentage of service members experiencing gambling problems is small, our study found that these individuals had a much higher likelihood of not only psychological distress but also tobacco use, binge drinking, and insufficient sleep,” said Beymer. “The rapid expansion of online gambling since 2018 is unprecedented, and care needs to be given to not stigmatize service members experiencing gambling problems.”
Recognizing this growing threat, Congress has taken a significant step. The law funding the military for fiscal year 2026 has, for the first time, designated gambling addiction as a research priority. This move unlocks federal funding for dedicated studies into how gambling affects service members and their families, a development long championed by advocates like the National Council on Problem Gambling.
"For the first time, federal research funding is being made available to study gambling addiction," said NCPG Executive Director Heather Maurer in a press release Feb. 3. "This development is especially critical for service members and veterans who face elevated risk and have historically been underserved by research.”
Beyond financial loss: A threat to your family, career and security The consequences of problem gambling ripple through every part of a service member's life. "Even what seems like a minor loss can quickly lead to trouble paying bills or buying groceries," said Lopez. "That financial strain is a major problem, and if it leads to debt, it can absolutely become a threat to a service member's security clearance. This financial strain is directly linked to severe mental and emotional distress, including increased anxiety, depression, sleep problems, irritability, substance use/abuse, and home or occupational stress.”
Lopez explained there is often a stigma around problematic gambling with a guilt and shame association, making service members more reluctant to disclose their problem to a mental health provider, medical provider, chaplain, spouse, or to their command.
Health care provider risk assessments try to overcome the stigma by providing mental health screening, including for suicidal ideation, during routine medical appointments. When a service member is identified as being at risk for suicide, providers take immediate action.
"If someone endorses suicidal ideation, they will be assessed by a mental health provider within the same day," said Lopez. "If an individual is assessed as moderate or high risk, they will, at a minimum, have a safety plan developed."
Closing the gaps: The need for leadership and education Lopez noted the DOW could invest in leadership training modeled after successful suicide prevention programs like the Army’s Ask, Care, Escort program, also known as ACE. Education on responsible gambling is also critical.Experts suggest teaching service members practical strategies such as setting financial limits, not chasing losses, and understanding the odds. This is especially important given the psychologically addictive design of modern digital gambling.
"Gambling becomes a game with tangible (financial) and intangible (social/peer praise) awards," said Lopez. "This award process can be addictive, primarily to younger individuals."
Lopez argued the most effective interventions must begin at the unit level. "I believe the most impactful intervention(s) start at the unit level through good leadership and mentorship,” he said."Squad-level leadership should be effectively communicating with their service members and able to identify when one of them is struggling."
What you can do: Resources for service members and leaders Here are some resources to help service members and leaders address this issue:
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