Amping Up Gaming for U.S. Troops and the Industry
Military Gambling Oversight Committee Present in U.S.
A fresh venture is stirring up excitement in the gaming world, focusing on beefing up resources for American military personnel and industry insiders, according to iGB reports.
This initiative, led by a committee, intends to work hand-in-hand with the U.S. Department of Defense to identify and tackle any shortcomings in the military's current gaming policies.
Helming this endeavor is Mark Luciani, an acclaimed researcher at the Kennedy School and a veteran of U.S. Special Operations Forces. His mission, "to offer best practices and health research (...)," aims to serve as a go-to hub for reliable gaming-related information, recognizing that many are uninformed about this topic.
The initial comrades-in-arms of this committee will consist of seven members boasting robust experience in both gaming and military service. Roles within the group will include a policy advisor, industry representative, sports industry representative, technology and security expert, PR advisor, and educational program developer.
Such work is crucial since the U.S. Department of Defense presides over an astounding 3,100 gaming machines on military bases worldwide, generating a whopping $100 million annually, with the funds funneled toward social programs.
Recent years have seen a growing emphasis on preventing gambling addiction among troops. Consequently, questions about gambling-related misconduct feature in annual medical exams. In 2022, the Department of Defense revealed that 0.06% of active duty troops and 0.13% of reservists struggled with gambling. During medical assessments, these figures escalated to 1.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Strikingly, military personnel are twice to thrice more prone to gambling addiction than civilians, as reported by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
In response to these trends, the establishment of MGAC marks a significant stride. Luciani's studies have highlighted the shortcomings in gaming-related policies within the Department of Defense, and MGAC aims to address these shortcomings head-on.
While specific details about MGAC's operation within the scope of U.S. military gaming resources are yet unfolding, indications suggest that the committee plans to focus on enhancing military training through advanced gaming technologies, revising polices to align with modern gaming trends, collaborating with the gaming industry, and efficiently managing resources to integrate gaming initiatives into overall military strategy.
- The initiative, led by Mark Luciani, aims to collaborate with the gaming industry, as reported by iGB.
- The committee, boasting members with gaming and military experience, intends to work with stakeholders to revise gaming policies within the Department of Defense.
- MGAC, a newcomer in the gaming world, plans to focus on utilizing advanced gaming technologies to enhance military training.
- The Kennedy School researcher, Luciani, has reported significant shortcomings in gaming-related policies within the Department of Defense, which MGAC aims to address.
