U.S. Senate committee approves military gambling addiction research funding

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a provision in the fiscal year 2026 Senate Defense Appropriations Bill that would, for the first time, make gambling addiction an eligible topic under the Department of Defense’s Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), potentially unlocking $5 million to $7 million in annual federal research funding.

The measure aims to address growing concerns over gambling addiction among servicemembers and veterans, who are statistically at greater risk of developing gambling-related disorders. Military personnel are estimated to experience gambling addiction at twice the rate of civilians, with young men aged 18 to 29 most vulnerable. Risk factors include PTSD, depression, chronic stress, and high-risk decision-making.

“Servicemembers and Veterans facing gambling addiction deserve the same level of support and understanding we’ve worked to build around PTSD, depression, and other behavioral health challenges,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), who led efforts to introduce the provision. 

“This provision is a critical step toward recognizing the realities our military community faces and ensuring the federal government invests in the basic, foundational research needed to support recovery,” he said.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), nearly 40% of veterans and servicemembers who seek treatment for gambling addiction have attempted suicide, and those affected are six times more likely to experience homelessness.

Derek Longmeier, president of NCPG’s board of directors, said: “The Committee’s action will finally give researchers, local VA clinicians, and military health officials the ability to better understand and address gambling addiction among those who serve.”  

The bill follows a 2019 congressional mandate requiring annual screenings for gambling disorders across the armed forces. However, the absence of federal research funding has hindered the implementation of early intervention and evidence-based treatment programs.

The Senate’s move comes amid renewed scrutiny of on-base gambling operations, following a WIRED report on the Army Recreation Machine Program (ARMP), which operates slot machines across 79 overseas U.S. military bases.

In 2024, the program generated $70.9 million in revenue and $53 million in net proceeds from 1,889 machines located in countries including South Korea, Japan, and Germany. While funds support recreation services like golf courses and libraries, critics say not enough is spent on addiction prevention or treatment for at-risk personnel.

The provision has garnered bipartisan support, along with endorsements from over two dozen NCPG state affiliates and major gambling industry operators, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and MGM Resorts International.

The bill now heads to the full Senate for further consideration. If enacted, it would establish the first federally recognized pathway for research into gambling addiction within the military.