POST
108
For release from the National Council on Problem
Gambling:
The [United States of America]
Department of Defense generates $100 million each year from the 3,141 slot
machines on overseas bases. Slot machines have been outlawed on domestic
military installations since 1951. The National Council on Problem Gambling
estimates that as many as 56,000 active duty members of the Armed Forces meet
criteria for gambling disorder.
The following article details
information about the H.R. 5515: John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2019 and the new provision that allows for Gambling
Disorder screening. I am including this
for the August 2018 edition of the GRM
Blog.
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Gambling Disorder Screening Provision Included in the
National Defense Authorization Act 2019
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
August 14, 2018
CONTACT: Cait Huble
202-360-4560
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WASHINGTON, DC
– On Monday, August
13, 2018 President Trump signed into law the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA) that includes a provision
requiring members of the Armed Forces to be screened for gambling
addiction. This has been a top legislative priority for the National
Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for the past 16 years. Gambling disorder
screening questions were included in large scale surveys of active duty
personnel throughout the 1990’s until 2002, when the questions were
removed.
Section 733 of the
House Armed Services Committee Report 115-874 requires the Department of
Defense (DoD) to incorporate medical screening questions specific to
gambling disorder in the next annual periodic health assessment conducted
by the Department as well as in the Health Related Behaviors Surveys of
Active-Duty and reserve component service members. The Secretary of Defense
is required to submit a report to Congress on the findings of the
assessment and surveys in connection with the prevalence of gambling
disorder among service members.
NCPG Executive
Director Keith Whyte said “Previous
DoD surveys have found active duty personnel are two to three times more
likely to have gambling problems than civilians. Better detection of
gambling problems improves overall health and reduces social costs.
Undetected gambling addiction exacerbates substance use disorders, depression
and suicidal behavior.”
Whyte continued “NCPG strongly believes military
personnel need and deserve effective gambling addiction prevention,
education, treatment, enforcement, research, responsible gaming and
recovery services. With the provision requiring members of the Armed
Forces to be screened for gambling addiction, championed by Senator
Elizabeth Warren, we take a vital step to improving the lives of service members
and their families.”
The DoD generates
$100 million each year from the 3,141 slot machines on overseas bases.
Slot machines have been outlawed on domestic military installations
since 1951. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that as many
as 56,000 active duty members of the Armed Forces meet criteria for gambling
disorder.
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About the National
Council on Problem Gambling
NCPG is the
national advocate for problem gamblers and their families. NCPG is
neutral on legalized gambling and works with all stakeholders to promote
responsible gaming. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem,
call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or
visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat for
confidential help.
To schedule an
interview with Keith Whyte, please contact Cait Huble at 202-360-4560
or CaitH@ncpgambling.org .
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After reviewing this information, I have
one very basic question: If gambling disorder is indicated [and obviously from previous statistics, it will be], what are the next nonpunitive
steps to be taken by the Department
of Defense?
In other words, what responsibility/obligation will the DoD assume and implement to care for and
assist personnel into recovery?
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs,
CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery
Ministries
For
more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:
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