A new report examines how gambling-related harm may intersect with repeated exposure to trauma, psychological distress, and the distinct working conditions experienced by firefighters, police officers, and other first responders.
The Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) report, released on Tuesday to mark the beginning of Responsible Gambling Month, was funded through a grant from the Colorado Division of Gaming. EPIC Global Solutions served as research partner and conducted the study.
The study of 507 firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and rescue personnel found that of the 94.5% of respondents who had gambled in the last 12 months, 44% met the criteria for problem gambling, and 39% met the criteria for being “at risk” for gambling problems.
Within the study sample, firefighters were the first-responder group demonstrating the highest risk of gambling-related harm. Notably, 50% of the participants also screened positive for possible PTSD-related symptoms.
Among the firefighters surveyed, 38% indicated that they gambled two or more days per week, 22% once per week, 21% once per month or less than once per week, 15% less than once per month, 4% not at all.
Forty-nine percent of firefighters met the criteria for problem gambling, while 29% met the criteria for a moderate risk, 7.5% for low risk, and 16% percent no risk.
That’s compared to 28% of police officers who indicated they gambled two or more days per week over the last 12 months, 21% once per week, 24% once per month or less than once per week, 22% less than once per month and 5% not at all.
Forty-two percent of police officers met the criteria for problem gambling, followed by 26% who met the criteria for a moderate risk, 14% low risk and 18% no risk.
A clinical diagnosis of a gambling disorder requires exhibiting at least four out of nine specific behavioral criteria over a 12-month period, leading to significant distress or impairment, according to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.
The nine specific behavioral criteria are:
- Tolerance: The need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same excitement.
- Withdrawal: Feels restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop.
- Loss of control: Made repeated failed attempts to stop or control gambling.
- Preoccupation: Is often focused on gambling, reliving past wins, or planning the next bet.
- Escape: Gambles when feeling distressed, anxious, or depressed.
- Chasing losses: Returns another day to win back money lost previously.
- Concealment: Lies to hide the true extent of involvement with gambling.
- Risked relationships/career: Jeopardized or lost a job, education, or significant relationship because of gambling.
- Financial bailout: Relies on others to provide money for desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
Researchers noted that the findings showed a strong association between PTSD-symptom severity and gambling-harm risk.
“First responders operate in environments defined by repeated exposure to trauma, high responsibility, and unpredictable stress,” said Mark Lucia, KRI’s director of programming. “While substantial attention has been given to conditions such as PTSD and burnout, gambling has remained largely under explored.”
Other key findings in the report show that gambling harm is closely linked to mental health and trauma, as risk differed across first responder role and work environments.
Researchers also found that some occupational groups showed higher levels of gambling participation and risk than others. Factors such as work structure, shift patterns, downtime, and team culture may influence how gambling fits into first responders’ lives and coping behaviors.
The concept for the study came from Greg Weber, who spent 13 years as a firefighter in New Jersey and shares his experience of problem gambling with NCAA student athletes on behalf of EPIC.
“Gambling is normalized and talked about often at the firehouse, and when I spoke at the New Jersey State FMBA convention in 2024, an anonymous survey showed higher-than-average numbers in regard to risk and harm,” Weber said in a statement. “This new study was eye-opening.”
Military experience is also associated with greater vulnerability, according to the study. First responders with current or previous military experience were significantly more likely to experience higher levels of gambling risk, with the strongest effects observed among participants who were currently serving in the military.
The proportion of participants currently serving in the military, 69.6%, that adhered to problem gambling was significantly more than the proportion of people with no military experience that met the criteria, 36.5%.
The 40-page report also highlighted opportunities to integrate gambling screening into existing mental-health and wellness programs, develop education and prevention strategies tailored to different first-responder roles, and expand support for higher-risk groups, including first responders with current of previous military experience.
