The Kindbridge Research Institute Wednesday announced the establishment of the Military Gambling Awareness Committee (MGAC), an initiative that will address and mitigate gambling-related issues within the military community.
MGAC’s goal is to enhance the welfare and operational readiness of service members by fostering an environment where awareness and proactive measures against gambling-related harms are ingrained in military life.
“The establishment of the Military Gambling Awareness Committee marks a pivotal step in Kindbridge Research Institute’s mission to support the mental health and well being of our service members,” said Kindbridge Research Institute Executive Director Nathan D. Smith in a statement. “By bringing together a diverse group of experts, we aim to identify and address the gaps in current policies and provide comprehensive solutions that will enhance the overall health and readiness of our military personnel.”
MGAC will collaborate with the military and the Department of Defense to identify policy gaps through evidence-based approaches and offer guidance on potential adjustments. By leveraging data, programs, and other resources, MGAC seeks to improve the Department of Defense’s approach to gambling by advocating for a more holistic public health approach within the military.
MGAC boasts a diverse and skilled team of experts with insights and experience to tackle the issue of military gambling:
- Chairperson: Mark Lucia, Kindbridge Research Institute Senior Military Research Associate, served as a Special Forces medic with deployments in Europe. Firsthand experience with the mental-health challenges faced by military personnel caused Lucia to seek a career in military mental-health research.
- Policy Advisor: CEO of Doura-Schawohl Consulting, Brianne Doura-Schawohl has more than a decade of leadership in advocacy, public policy, and government affairs. Her experience includes serving as EPIC Risk Management Vice President of US Policy and Strategic Development and as the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Legislative Director. Doura-Schawohl’s work spans international, federal, state, and local levels of government. She also is a military spouse.
- Gambling Industry Representative: BetMGM Senior Manager of Responsible Gambling Richard Taylor is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. His experience in responsible gambling is informed by his military background and his work with the American Gaming Association’s responsible gaming board. Taylor emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication in developing effective responsible gambling strategies.
- Sports Industry Representative: Joe Solosky, Managing Director of Sports Betting at NASCAR, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who worked as a data distributor for Sportradar. He brings to MGAC an expertise in sports betting operations and a strategic vision for responsible gambling initiatives.
- Technology/Security Expert: Kinectify CEO Joseph Martin served in the U.S. Marines Corps and the U.S. Department of State. An expert in in risk management technology and anti-money laundering practices, Martin has worked in the gaming, banking, and cannabis industries. With MGAC, he will focus on advancing technology to address gambling addiction issues.
- Public Affairs Advisor: Caroline Ponseti, a communications strategist with Capitol Hill trade association Invariant, will leverage her political-campaign experience to create integrated communications campaigns to shift public perception and build relationships with stakeholders. She previously led media relations for the American Gaming Association and served as press secretary for the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
- Educational Program Developer: David Yeager is an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a gambling-addiction recovery advocate. He has firsthand experience with the challenges of gambling addiction in the military. Yeager currently works as an intake specialist and gambling recovery coach at Kindbridge Behavioral Health and is committed to developing educational programs to support military personnel.
“Our military community faces unique challenges, and gambling-related harms can significantly impact the well-being and readiness of our service members,” said Lucia in a statement. “The Military Gambling Awareness Committee is committed to creating a proactive, informed environment where we can address these issues head-on, fostering a culture of awareness and support within the military.”
For more information about the Military Gambling Awareness Committee or to get involved, contact mgac@kindbridgeinstitute.org.
