Defense Appropriation Act To Help the Military With Problem Gambling Issues

The Defense Appropriation Act has been approved by Congress, and for the first time in its history, the bill includes funding earmarked for helping the military deal with problem gambling issues.

Among the funding allocated from the $838.7 billion bill is a portion that will be dedicated to research into the impact of problem gambling among those who serve in the military, as well as veterans. There is always $180 million set aside in the bill for nondefense spending.

Of that amount, $150 million is going to the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). This organization provides grants to fund medical research and treatments. One of the elements that will receive funding in this year’s bill is research into gambling addiction within the military.

This is the first instance of the federal government providing any sort of funding for problem gambling research. The move was initiated by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which included the funding as part of the Defense Appropriations Act last summer. Senator Ben Ray Lujan was the driving force in including the funding. It’s anticipated that the PRMRP will allocate as much as $7 million to bankroll the research project..

Congress passed the Defense Appropriations Act earlier this week. The House voted 217-214 in favor of the bill. It had previously been approved by the Senate.

All that’s left to make the bill a law is the signature of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The National Problem Gambling Council views this as a significant step forward in gambling addiction research

Throughout the process, as the bill moved through Congress, the gambling addiction portion of the Defense Appropriation Act was given full support by the National Problem Gambling Council (NPGC). Its leaders view this decision as a major step forward in recognizing that gambling addiction is an illness and must be treated as such.

“[The funding] sends a clear signal that gambling addiction is a public health issue, not a stigma,” Heather Maurer, executive director of the NPGC, said in a statement.

“When we invest in research, we reduce stigma, improve care, and build the knowledge needed to protect individuals, families, and readiness.”

Traditionally, funding for gambling addiction research in the U.S. is extremely limited. A 2023 study conducted by the National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services found that out of every dollar gained from sports betting in state tax revenue, less than a penny is directed toward problem gambling resources.

Leaders in this field feel that taking the step to launch a national program for members of the military could bring the necessary attention to the issue of problem gambling.

“This is an important step forward,” Maurer said. “For the first time, federal research funding is being made available to study gambling addiction.

“This development is especially critical for service members and veterans who face elevated risk and have historically been underserved by research.”

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