Screening and Assessment of Gambling in Military Populations : A Systematic Review and Gap Analysis

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review evaluates the use of assessment and screening tools for gambling behaviour in military populations. Although military personnel and veterans face elevated risks, most available tools were developed for general populations and may not account for military-specific factors. The review identifies the screening and assessment measures used in military population studies, assesses their psychometric properties, and highlights key methodological gaps through a structured gap analysis. Recent Findings: Across 46 studies, 28 screening or assessment tools were identified, including commonly used measures such as the PGSI, SOGS, BBGS, GRCS, MAGS, and NODS-CLiP. While these tools vary in length and purpose, none were specifically designed or validated for use with military populations. Validation studies showed inconsistent reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. Notably, no tools adequately reflected military-relevant issues such as deployment stress, occupational impact, or co-occurring mental health conditions. Barriers to accurate screening, including stigma and underreporting, further complicate assessment in this context. Summary: There is a critical need for the development of validated, military-specific screening and assessment tools that address the unique experiences and risks within this population. Existing measures may underestimate or misclassify gambling-related harm, limiting early identification and effective intervention. Future research should prioritise the design and validation of tailored tools that can support accurate screening and assessment, reduce stigma, and inform better-targeted prevention and treatment strategies for military personnel and veterans.