Summer of 2025 has been an impactful season in the realm of problem gambling. It all started with the topic’s first ever inclusion as a global health concern to be discussed in a forum at the June 2025 Group of Seven (G7) Leaders’ Summit (watch here). Then, in July, headlines circled around the future of 1-800-GAMBLER, and whether or not it will continue to operate across the US in light of a dispute between the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The two agencies will meet in court on August 26 to see if an agreement can be made to keep the hotline running. Be sure to return here for our September problem gambling news report for the results of arbitration. So what’s on deck for the most current period? Read ahead to find out.
August 2025 News Regarding Problematic Gambling / Sports Betting that America Needs to Know About
Gambling Addiction Approved as a Research Topic Under DoD
Those who are familiar with Kindbridge know that research and support regarding military mental health is a big part of our mission. A primary focus of this mission relates to how active servicepersons and veterans alike exhibit disproportionately higher rates of problem gambling when compared to America’s civilian population. You can read more about our efforts to support this vulnerable group right here.
Today, however, we join the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in celebrating a recent development to come from the collaborative offices of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. For the uninitiated, the Senate Appropriations Committee is a powerful standing committee in the U.S. Senate responsible for writing legislation that allocates federal funds to government agencies, departments, and organizations. On August 4th, it was announced that the committee approved a key provision in the FY26 Senate Defense Appropriations Bill that will, for the first time, make gambling addiction an eligible research topic under the Department of Defense (DoD) Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). As a part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), PRMRP is responsible for funding medical research focused on improving the wellbeing of military service members and veterans in addition to their families.
“The Committee’s action will finally give researchers, local VA clinicians, and military health officials the ability to better understand and address gambling addiction among those who serve. We’re grateful to our allies in Congress, industry partners, and the public health community for making this progress possible.” (Derek Longmeier, President of NCPG Board of Directors)
As leaders in problem gambling research and counseling in support of America’s military population, Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) and Kindbridge Behavioral Health (KBH) applaud all other stakeholders who helped push this important initiative forward. View the complete press release here and stay tuned as developments progress.
WIRED Features Kindbridge in Exposé on US Military On-Base Slot Machines
Interestingly, the positive news about gambling addiction being approved as an eligible research topic under the Department of Defense (DoD) came at the exact same time as WIRED released an exposé on how the DoD operates slot machines on US military bases overseas, raising millions of dollars to fund recreation for troops while concurrently creating risks for servicepersons who are prone to gambling addiction. This is something that Kindbridge has covered extensively in the past (view here) and why WIRED tapped Kindbridge for insight into an issue that very few taxpayers are aware of. View the full feature on WIRED.
Illegal Offshore Gambling Sites Called Out for Fraudulent Practices
Last month, we reported on an unregulated offshore gambling operator that falsely claimed to have a brick and mortar casino in Florida, when in fact they do not, nor are they permitted to solicit players from anywhere in the United States. This is just one of many tactics (view here) that illegal operators use to exploit the vulnerabilities of at-risk gamblers. State regulators have also taken notice and are doing what they can to warn the gambling public. For instance, on August 4th, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming issued an alert (view here) to residents about an increase in fraudulent online gambling operators falsely claiming to be affiliated with licensed South Dakota gaming establishments. This new development comes fresh off the heels of state-by-state Gaming Commissions sending numerous cease and desist letters to offshore operators of online sportsbooks and casinos found to be operating illegally in each respective state, including Mississippi, Michigan, and more.
The crackdown on unregulated offshore operators is happening right now, and Americans are asked to join regulators in the fight against them. Here’s how.
Sports Trading Platforms Taking a Hit Too?
In addition to offshore operators, state gambling regulators have their eyes on the newest form of digital sports betting – online prediction markets that offer Americans the opportunity to invest/wager on the outcomes of sporting events.
Thus far, prediction market trading platforms such as Kalshi and Robinhood have been able to sidestep federal and state level gambling regulations because they operate as designated contract markets registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not gambling regulators. However, a number of state Gaming Commissions have filed cease and desist letters to the trading platforms over the past two fiscal quarters of 2025. One such entity to take action against Kalshi, was the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (MLGCA). In response, Kalshi called for a temporary restraining order against the MLGCA in April of 2025. But on August 4th, federal judge John A. Martin sided with the MLGCA, officially denying Kalshi’s request for a preliminary injunction (view here). This is a setback for the sports trading operator, following successful preliminary injunctions in New Jersey and Nevada. Will it set a new precedence as other states attempt to subvert the growth of sports trading on prediction markets? Time will tell.
Stay tuned as stories develop.
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