Gambling Addiction Prevention (GAP) Act

The Gambling Addiction Prevention Act of 2019 requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop policies and programs to prevent and treat gambling problems, in coordination with the Department’s other behavioral health efforts. On military sites where gambling activities take place, such policies and programs would include providing educational materials and promoting responsible gambling behavior. It also requires the Department to update its regulations, instructions, and guidance to explicitly include gambling disorder within 180 days of the passage of the Act.

Encourage political leaders to protect our troops by preventing problem gambling.

Introduced in the Senate (07/09/2019)

Introduced in the House (07/09/2019)

ABOUT THE GAP ACT

What the Gap Act Is All About

  • Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop policies and programs to prevent & treat gambling problems.
  • On OCONUS bases where gambling activities take place, such policies and programs would include provisions of educational materials and promotion of responsible behavior.

Why the Gap Act Matters

  • NCPG estimates that as many as 56,000 active-duty members of the Armed Forces meet the criteria for gambling disorder.
  • Research finds that veterans are 2-3x more likely to have a gambling problem.
  • Prevalence of gambling disorder in the military is a serious health and financial issue and also poses a threat to national security.
  • Less than 10 percent of individuals with gambling problems seek help, due to shame and stigma and misunderstanding of the disorder.
  • The Department of Defense currently has 3,141 slot machines on overseas military installations.
  • These slot machines generate approximately $100 million per year for the Department of Defense.