Military gambling addiction worries increase.

• The number of pathological gambling diagnoses among servicemembers and veterans is rapidly increasing, as per the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The VA research discovered that servicemembers are more likely to develop gambling disorders than civilians and may be reluctant to disclose their gambling habits.
• During patriotic holidays such as the Fourth of July, casinos and sportsbooks often offer special promotions to military personnel and veterans.

After the 9/11 attacks, on an American military base in South Korea, Army Staff Sergeant Dave Yeager made a grave mistake as a budding problem gambler: he won big at a Defense Department-operated slot machine.

In that moment, all the stress, tension, and things I was carrying went away, as Yeager told CNBC.

Instead of being a form of relaxation for servicemembers, Yeager's supposed entertainment turned into a disorder that would lead to the loss of his career, financial security, and family.

He said, "It changed from enjoying doing this to feeling obligated to do it. It became an obsession for me."

In his book, "Fall In: A Veteran with a Gambling Addiction," Yeager revealed how he borrowed from subordinates, stole from petty cash, and left his family in a financial bind. He emphasized that such vulnerability in a servicemember can affect individual readiness and potentially endanger national security if enemies were to exploit it.

Despite Yeager admitting his gambling vulnerability to his commanders and counselors, no one accused him or offered assistance.

""I think you're missing the point here," Yeager said after the chaplain suggested going to bingo night on Sunday."

In 2017, the Department of Defense operated over 3,100 slot machines on U.S. military bases in 12 foreign countries, generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. These machines are viewed as a source of morale for servicemembers, similar to activities such as golf, libraries, and other forms of entertainment.

Overseas, servicemembers as young as 18 may be permitted to gamble.

Despite being prohibited domestically on military bases, casinos are often found near them. There are seven casinos within 20 minutes of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, one of the country's largest military installations.

Since the Supreme Court decision in 2018 allowed states to legalize sports gambling, the number of opportunities for wagering has significantly increased. Currently, only four states do not permit any form of legal betting.

Suddenly, many individuals with gambling issues began contacting for assistance, typically within a year or two following the expansion, according to Heather Chapman, a clinical psychologist and head of the national gambling treatment program for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The number of servicemembers and veterans being diagnosed with pathological gambling disorders has increased significantly, with more patients receiving a diagnosis in the first half of 2024 than in all of 2022, according to VA research. Twenty percent of those referrals are women.

With increased accessibility and availability, we often observe an increase in unhealthy engagement, as stated by Dominick DePhilippis, the deputy national mental health director for substance abuse disorders at the VA.

The VA research discovered that servicemembers are more likely to develop gambling disorders than civilians and may be reluctant to disclose their struggles due to the fear of losing their security clearance or the shame associated with gambling problems.

The prevalence of problem gambling and gambling disorder among veterans in some parts of the U.S. can reach up to 10.7%, according to departmental studies, although these studies are typically smaller and regional, resulting in a wide range of outcomes.

The VA has two residential treatment facilities for gambling addiction and numerous partnerships with civilian facilities nationwide, according to Chapman.

"We are often regarded as the hub of gambling addiction treatment," she stated.

In the late 1960s, Congress banned slot machines from domestic bases, and it was about nine years later that the VA started treating gambling disorders.

The Department of Defense rejected CNBC's request for an interview, but stated that there have been no systemwide increases in resources to address problem gambling. According to a Health Related Behavior survey from 2018, the incidence of problem gambling among servicemembers was 1.6% to 1.7%, which is consistent with the rate in the civilian population.

The Department of Defense is aware of changes in gambling availability due to new mobile and sports gambling options and will take these factors into account in future military gambling research, a spokesperson stated in an email.

A new survey by the military is underway, and the results are anticipated to be released in the fall, the spokesperson stated.

The National Defense Authorization Act signed by then-President Trump mandates that servicemembers undergo annual gambling disorder screenings during their health physicals. The Department of Defense has stated that servicemembers with gambling problems will not face any penalties for seeking treatment following the screening.

The variation in education policies is largely due to the individual commanders' decisions and differs significantly among military bases.

The wife of a Coast Guard officer and a lobbyist for responsible gaming, Brianne Doura-Schawohl, advocates for the Defense Department to establish gambling education and treatment policies that apply uniformly across the military.

Doura-Schawohl stated that the policy manuals need to be updated to address addiction in the same way they address issues like alcohol. She emphasized the need for more prevention and treatment efforts for this disorder.

She stated that she believed the individuals who wore the uniform daily were prepared to give up everything, and the least the government could do was express support for them.

The DOD is not obligated to offer educational materials or resources on how to seek help for a gambling problem, as stated by a spokesperson from the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The organization stated that those who profit from gambling, including DOD, have an ethical and economic obligation to use some of those profits to reduce harm caused by gambling.

In 2018, Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., presented the Gambling Addiction Prevention Act (GAP) to the Department of Defense, which aimed to monitor gambling disorders and provide treatment for gambling problems among servicemembers. However, the bill did not gain support.

Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., recently proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to prohibit gambling on military bases, but it was not included in the final legislation.

Our service personnel put their lives on the line to safeguard our country and its liberties. It is our responsibility to address problem gambling and treat it with the same level of seriousness and caution as we do with other addictions, as Tonko stated in a CNBC interview.

During patriotic holidays such as the Fourth of July, casinos and sportsbooks often offer special promotions to military personnel and veterans.

At the Pahrump Nugget and Lakeside Casino in Nevada, Golden Casino Group provides "Military Mondays" where veterans and active-duty military can receive free slot play by simply swiping their card.

Some casinos provide veterans with military-themed membership cards as a token of appreciation for their service. For instance, Penn's Heroes program offers exclusive rewards and promotions to those who have made significant contributions.

Caesars' Rewards Salute Card honors active-duty military members and veterans with credits and free play offers, but every rewards member can convert their rewards into free play.

A company spokeswoman stated that veterans are not being given any easier access to free play offers.

The military and veterans will receive non-gambling promotions from MGM Resorts, while the company also supports clinical research on gambling disorders within the military community.

BetMGM, a joint venture with a veteran in charge of responsible gambling initiatives, has decided not to promote to military members or veterans.