Gambling in the Military: Kindbridge Launches New Initiative to Combat Gambling-Related Harm

The Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) has launched a new initiative in Colorado, the United States, intended to reduce gambling-related harm and issues among active members of the military and their families.

Gambling Among the Military Needs More Help Addressing

The new initiative, aptly called Stigma Stand Down, focuses on addressing the issues among active and serving personnel by helping enlisted military members to develop the resilience necessary to withstand gambling-related issues.

Similarly, Kindbridge is also focusing on veterans as well as members of the families of military personnel, acknowledging that the problem may often run deeper.

Compulsive gamblers often strain family relations and make it harder for family members to participate in a person’s recovery, something that the institute believes is key to success.

The Kindbridge Research Institute wants to address the issue head-on, as gambling disorders are 3.5 times more prevalent amongst the military relative to civilians, indicating a persistent issue that needs more resources to address properly.

Part of this has to do with the fact that the military does not make it easier to avoid gambling. On bases across the United States and across the world, slot machines are prevalent, with servicemen often developing a compulsive need to gamble while serving. For those who already suffer from a gambling-related issue, an escape is almost impossible when they get deployed.

In a statement, the Kindbridge Research Institute added: “Stigma is a silent enemy that leaves our service members and veterans isolated, harming their families, units, and mission readiness.”

The timing of the program is not left to chance either, says Mark Lucia, director of programming at Kindbridge Research Institute. The organization chose the near start of the football season to launch the program, realizing that with the influx of betting advertisements and bonuses, there would be a lot more situations where problem gamblers are tempted to participate in gambling.

The Military Needs to Step Up to Get Help to Active-Duty Personnel

The organization is also working with its sister division, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, to offer vulnerable, at-risk, and compulsive players free-of-charge therapy sessions, which are available to both members of the military as well as their families.

To further help collect data and issue efficient recommendations, the Kindbridge Behavioral Institute has launched the Gambling Self-Check tool that allows the target group to quickly complete a survey that determines their level of addiction.

“Stigma Stand Down is our frontline response: dismantling shame and delivering free, confidential, evidence-based care designed for military realities. We thank our partners for standing with us and call on more allies to help transform lives and build stronger communities,” Lucia wrapped up.