New Initiatives to Support Military Families Facing Gambling Challenges
The Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) has introduced an impactful program in Colorado aimed at providing much-needed support for military personnel grappling with mental health issues stemming from gambling.
This statewide initiative, known as Stigma Stand Down, focuses on strengthening the resilience of active-duty members, veterans, and their families who confront the dangers of compulsive gambling, as highlighted in a recent KRI announcement.
With over 60,000 active-duty and reserve members residing in Colorado, the timing of this initiative is particularly significant. The legalization of sports betting has made it increasingly important to address topics such as mental health, PTSD, depression, substance use, and gambling-related issues within the military community, according to insights from KRI.
Mark Lucia, KRI’s director of programming, emphasized the insidious nature of stigma. “It acts as a silent adversary that isolates our service members and veterans, affecting their families, units, and overall readiness,” he remarked.
Comprehensive Outreach Efforts
The Kindbridge program aligns with the launch of the football season, one of the peak times for sports betting. Collaborating with Kindbridge Behavioral Health, the initiative provides free, confidential therapy sessions for military members and their families. Additionally, KRI has rolled out an anonymous Gambling Self-Check tool designed to facilitate early intervention by offering tailored feedback.
Research shows that gambling disorders occur up to 3.5 times more frequently in military populations than in civilian ones. The unique strains placed on active-duty members and veterans transitioning to civilian life can contribute to gambling-related challenges.
This summer, Rich Taylor, director of responsible gambling at BetMGM, co-authored a piece for the National Council on Problem Gambling discussing the alarming realities of gambling addiction among military members. Taylor pointed out that approximately 40% of veterans seeking treatment for gambling issues have contemplated suicide.
Breaking the Cycle of Shame
Stigma Stand Down complements ongoing efforts to combat gambling addiction within this demographic. Earlier this year, several state affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling and major operators like MGM Resorts, BetMGM, and FanDuel sent a letter to Congress, advocating for gambling addiction to be recognized as a research priority in an upcoming medical research program. This initiative has garnered bipartisan support, including from U.S. senators such as Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal.
The program also leverages partnerships with prestigious institutions like the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of New Mexico, as well as with Cactus Advertising Agency and Kindbridge Behavioral Health. KRI credits the initiative’s viability to grants from the Colorado Division of Gaming and FanDuel.
“Stigma Stand Down represents our proactive approach: erasing shame and offering free, confidential, evidence-based care tailored to military realities,” Lucia stated. “We express our gratitude to our partners for their support and invite more allies to join us in transforming lives and strengthening communities.”