Kindbridge Research Institute Releases New Study on Gambling Harm Among U.S. First Responders

Research on first responders identifies significant gambling-risk indicators and strong links with PTSD symptoms and military experience.

DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, September 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Kindbridge Research Institute (KRI) released a new report today, Gambling among First Responders in the United States, examining gambling behaviors, mental health, occupational factors, and military experience among first responders nationwide.

Released on the first day of Responsible Gaming Education Month, the report draws attention to an underexplored public-health and workforce issue: how gambling-related harm may intersect with repeated exposure to trauma, psychological distress, and the distinct working conditions experienced by first responders.

The KRI-led study was funded through a grant from the Colorado Division of Gaming, part of the Colorado Department of Revenue. EPIC Global Solutions served as KRI’s research partner and conducted the study. The report was authored by Anca-Maria Gherghel, senior research manager at EPIC Global Solutions, and Anneke Stols, research associate at EPIC Global Solutions.

The study of 507 professionals in roles including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and rescue personnel found that, of the 94.5% of respondents who had gambled in the previous 12 months, 44% met the criteria for problem gambling and 39% met the criteria for being “at risk” of gambling problems.

Within the study sample, firefighters were the first-responder group demonstrating the highest risk of gambling-related harm. Notably, 50% of participants also screened positive for possible PTSD-related symptoms, with the findings showing a strong association between PTSD symptom severity and gambling-harm risk. “Responsible Gaming Education Month is an important opportunity to broaden the conversation and consider whether education, screening, and support are reaching populations whose risks may otherwise remain hidden,” said Mark Lucia of Kindbridge Research Institute.

“First responders operate in environments defined by repeated exposure to trauma, high responsibility, and unpredictable stress. While substantial attention has been given to conditions such as PTSD and burnout, gambling has remained largely underexplored. EPIC’s research team has helped bring new clarity to this intersection, and the findings provide public-health leaders, first-responder organizations, unions, employers, and care providers with a stronger foundation for prevention and early intervention.”

The concept for the research came from Greg Weber, a serving firefighter in New Jersey for 13 years who shares his personal experience of problem gambling with NCAA student-athletes on behalf of EPIC Global Solutions. Weber recognized similarities between the vulnerabilities experienced by student-athletes and first responders and proposed the study to help address a critical gap in research.

“While delivering sessions to student-athletes, I have noticed the similarities between these athlete vulnerabilities and those in first responders, such as competitive nature, risk taking, downtime, and gambling to escape,” Weber said. “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.

“This new study is eye opening. I was prepared for some high numbers on the percentage of first responders that have a problem, but I’m still surprised they are that high, particularly among firefighters, even though I can relate to it based on my personal experience.

“There is now a great opportunity for state fire and police unions, state regulators, state gambling councils, and other entities to come on board and create programs to educate and protect first responders. We know there is a lack of education and prevention around gambling, but providing this, along with treatment where needed, could go a long way in helping first responders deal with this issue.”

Key insights highlighted in the report include:
• Gambling harm is closely linked to mental health and trauma. Higher levels of PTSD symptoms were associated with higher levels of gambling harm, while poorer mental-health outcomes were linked to increased risk.
• Risk differs across first-responder roles and work environments. 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.
• Military experience is associated with greater vulnerability. 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 report highlights 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 or previous military experience.

The findings also reinforce the need to understand gambling-related harm as part of the broader behavioral-health environment in which first responders live and work. Greater coordination among first-responder organizations, unions, employers, mental-health providers, regulators, and responsible-gaming stakeholders could support earlier identification and help prevent harm from escalating.

The findings will also be presented on Wednesday, September 9, at the 15th European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues (EASG 2026) in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing the research into a broader international discussion on gambling prevention, public health, and policy.

Kindbridge Research Institute and EPIC Global Solutions remain committed to advancing evidence-based approaches that address gambling-related harm within the broader context of people’s health, work, and lives. The grant support provided by the Colorado Division of Gaming made this research possible.

The full report is available here.

About Kindbridge Research Institute
Kindbridge Research Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and solutions for mental-health challenges and behavioral addictions. Through strategic collaboration with leading experts, policymakers, and mental-health professionals, KRI drives meaningful change and works to enhance the well-being of individuals and families affected by gambling-related harm and other behavioral-health issues.

About EPIC Global Solutions
EPIC Global Solutions is a trusted partner in gambling-harm prevention. EPIC’s approach is grounded in personal experience, providing real-world, relatable solutions intended to make gambling safer and more sustainable.

Working in partnership with gambling operators, sports organizations, educational institutions, and other at-risk sectors, EPIC uses knowledge and insight to help organizations reduce gambling harm through sustainable solutions.

Mark Lucia
Kindbridge Research Institute
+1 978-522-6648
email us here

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Written By: EIN Presswire