First Federal Funding of Gambling Addiction Research Approved for Military
Published:
Mar 5, 2026
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09:42 a.m.
ET
On February 3, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2026 Defense Appropriations Act by a vote of 217 to 214, marking the first time since 1997 that a federal agency has been funded and tasked with researching the issue specifically.
The legislation had already passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 71 to 29. Of the $838.7 billion in discretionary funding the bill provides, $180 million goes to nondefense funding, with gambling addiction now sanctioned as a research topic.
The legislation directs research dollars through the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), with a specific focus on both active-duty service members and veterans who are both at higher risk for gambling addiction and have been underserved by research, according to National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Executive Director Heather Maurer.
HB4016 would mark a milestone shift in reducing stigma and establishing a widespread understanding that gambling addiction is a legitimate public health concern with measurable consequences.
Are Military members at higher risk of gambling addiction?
Yes, military members are at higher risk of developing gambling addiction, and the data that has been able to be collected has told us so for a while.
Research has shown that 10% of veterans meet criteria for problem gambling, compared to 1-3% of the general population identified as problem gamblers. Even more concerning, roughly 40% of veterans studied met criteria to be at risk for a gambling addiction. Among active-duty service members, Veterans Affairs (VA) treatment services reported more diagnoses of problem gambling in the first six months of 2024 than in all of 2022 combined.
Military service is associated with several risk factors for addictive behaviors: high stress levels, trauma exposure, poor sleep and long periods away from family. Gambling can become a coping mechanism, offering a temporary sense of control.
Some of the largest U.S. military bases are located near commercial casinos, and overseas installations have historically housed slot machines on base. Slot machines have been present on military bases in multiple countries, with more than 3,000 machines reported across 12 nations as recently as 2017. These machines have been generating over $100 million annually for the Department of Defense, funding recreational programs at the cost of increasing exposure to gambling risk in a vulnerable population.
What will the newly approved research funds go toward specifically?
The newly approved funding will flow through the Department of Defense’s PRMRP, which supports medical research projects deemed directly relevant to military health. While gambling addiction is one of many eligible research topics, advocacy groups estimate that at least $5 million, and potentially up to $7 million, of the $370 million the program is receiving under the FY2026 appropriations bill, will be directed toward studying gambling disorder.
The need for an established research fund is urgent because one in five people with a gambling disorder attempts suicide. Among veterans treated for gambling disorder within the VA system, the rate exceeds 40%, with an even higher proportion among women. Despite all this, states spend less than one cent on gambling addiction services for every dollar earned in gambling tax revenue, averaging just $3.1 million annually.
Federal funding opens the door to foundational research: identifying prevalence rates, understanding risk factors unique to military populations, evaluating prevention strategies and improving treatment outcomes.
Why this funding represents a turning point
The National Council on Problem Gambling has lobbied for federal involvement in gambling addiction research since its founding in 1972. Passage of this bill reflects acknowledgment that gambling addiction can only be sufficiently addressed with serious financial investment.
For military members and veterans, this recognition is significant given the historical focus on conditions like PTSD and substance use, while gambling-related harm often went unaddressed.
Gambling Addiction treatment for Veterans and Active-Duty Military Members
To really make an impact, all fronts must be considered. That means treatment access must expand alongside research and scientific understanding.
Birches Health provides specialized virtual treatment for gambling addiction for veterans, active-duty service members and military families across the United States. Care is covered by TRICARE and most major insurance plans, with many patients paying little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Treatment options include one-on-one therapy with licensed, certified counselors trained in gambling addiction, clinician-led group therapy that provides structure and accountability, peer support and family or couples counseling when gambling has impacted relationships. This approach recognizes that gambling addiction affects all vested parties tied to the individual: partners, children, family, etc.
Birches Health is also proud to support the Wounded Warrior Project, expanding access to evidence-based care for veterans navigating gambling-related harm. Through tailored intake and ongoing clinical support, veterans can receive care that respects their service while addressing their needs.
If you, your child or someone you love is struggling with gambling, help is available now:
Email help@bircheshealth.com
