U.S. Oversees a Military Gaming Commission
Fresh Take:
Level Up: Boosting Gaming Resources for the U.S. Military & Industry
Step forward, as a new movement is on the horizon! This initiative, we're calling it' Military Gaming Advisory Committee (MGAC'), is all set to take gaming resources for U.S. military personnel and the associated sector to the next level, according to iGB.
This powerhouse crew will be working hand in hand with the U.S. Department of Defense to address the weaknesses in the existing military gambling policies and regulations.
Get ready for some serious knowledge droppin', 'cause the MGAC members are genuine experts in their field who'll be bringing their A-game, spreading awareness, schooling stakeholders on best practices, and implementing those policies that really matter.
At the helm of this school of thought is none other than Mark Luciani, an ace researcher from the prestigious Kennedy School and a badass U.S. Special Operations Forces vet. He's quite passionate about this project and says, "Our goal is to provide top-notch practices and health research, making us the go-to info hub for all things gaming."
Initially, the MGAC squad will be a tight but powerful seven, consisting of badasses with both military experience and gaming expertise. The team will boast a policy advisor, an industry rep, a sports industry rep, a tech and security genius, a PR whiz, and an educational program developer.
Why's all this important? Well, the U.S. Department of Defense is responsible for more than 3,100 gaming machines on military bases 'round the world, generating around $100 million annually. These funds are intended for uplifting socially important causes.
However, in recent years, the importance of combating gambling addiction among military personnel has become more evident. Gambling-related problems have been captured in annual medical exams, with the Department of Defense revealing in 2022 that 0.06% of active-duty personnel and 0.13% of reservists faced gambling issues. Yet, these figures shot up to 1.6% and 1.7%, respectively, during periodic medical exams. Findings by the U.S. National Council on Problem Gambling even suggest that military personnel are twice as likely to develop gambling addiction compared to civilians.
With these stats screaming louder than a drum, the establishment of MGAC appears to be a game-changer. Luciani's research indicates that the current policy promoting responsible gambling in the Department of Defense isn't effectively implemented, and MGAC aims to address these shortcomings. It's all about balancing recreational gaming with addiction prevention.
Could this be the beginning of a gaming revolution for our brave men and women in uniform? Only time will tell, but one thing's for certain: the MGAC is gunning for greatness, and we're cheering them on!
- The Military Gaming Advisory Committee (MGAC) will collaborate with the U.S. Department of Defense to address weaknesses in the existing military gambling policies and regulations within the casino-and-gambling industry.
- This new initiative, led by Mark Luciani, a researcher from the prestigious Kennedy School and a veteran U.S. Special Operations Forces, aims to promote top-notch gaming practices and health research for the prevention of gambling addiction among its stakeholders.
- The MGAC team, consisting of seven members with a mix of military experience and gaming expertise, will include a policy advisor, an industry representative, and a tech and security genius, among others, to implement policies that matter in the business and finance sector.
- With more than $100 million generated annually from the 3,100 gaming machines on military bases around the world, the MGAC aims to ensure these funds are directed towards socially important causes while prioritizing addiction prevention.
- As gambling addiction has been identified as a growing issue within the military personnel, with statistics showing military personnel are twice as likely to develop gambling addiction compared to civilians, the establishment of MGAC signifies a significant step in the prevention of gambling problems within this community.
