Expert: Poker chip case highlights security issue

He says problem gambling in the military could put the U.S. at risk.

Written by Daniel P. Finney
Oct. 1, 2013

The suspension of the No. 2 commanding officer at U.S. Strategic Command for allegedly passing counterfeit poker chips at an Iowa casino represents a “significant threat to national security,” an expert who studies gambling addiction in the U.S. military said Monday.

Last month, Stratcom officials suspended Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, who was second-in-command of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, and recommended the 34-year Navy veteran be reassigned. Stratcom is based at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha. Giardina has not yet been charged with a crime. He remains stationed at Stratcom, but is banned from any responsibilities related to the nuclear arsenal, military officials said.

Giardina is being investigated by both the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Navy Criminal Investigative Service related to the introduction of counterfeit poker chips into a poker game at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs.

“Gambling in the military is a huge problem for national security that the military tries to ignore,” said John Kindt, a University of Illinois professor and author of the 2012 research paper “The Gambling Threat to National and Homeland Security: Internet Gambling.”

Generally speaking, Kindt said impaired judgment creates the biggest threat to national security.

The three biggest spying cases of the last 30 years — those related to former CIA agent Aldrich Ames, former FBI agent Robert Hanssen and former Navy warrant officer John Walker Jr. — all involved U.S. intelligence or military personnel being paid millions for secrets.

“Think about the vulnerability a gambling addict represents in that kind of command,” Kindt said. “If they’re losing money and have dug themselves a big hole, they are more susceptible to agents who are working against the interests of the United States.”

U.S. Department of Defense studies show between 5 and 9 percent of U.S. military personnel have suffered gambling-related problems in their lifetimes. About 2 percent fit the classification of gambling addicts. That is more than double the national average of less than 1 percent.

Recent scientific studies show gambling addicts receive pleasure stimulus in the same areas of the brain as those who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs, said Dr. Donald Black, a University of Iowa psychologist who has done extensive research on gambling addiction.

“The brain response leads to impaired judgment in terms of both their decisions to continue gambling and in other areas of their life,” Black said. “The addiction leads people to make choices they would not otherwise make.”

Iowa investigators remained quiet about the ongoing case involving Giardina. Officials have declined to specify the denominations of chips used in the game or the specific dollar amount. However, DCI Special Agent in Charge David Dales said the amount was “significant.”

Dales said state detectives are waiting for NCIS to finish its investigation before moving forward. Passing a counterfeit poker chip is considered a felony in Iowa punishable by five years imprisonment and a fine up to $7,500.

Iowa Racing and Gaming officials also looked into the case Monday. Their investigation found the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs was not at fault in the incident and had adequate security to detect counterfeiting, said Brian Ohorilko, commission administrator.

“Basically, Horseshoe did everything by the book,” Ohorilko said.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20131001/NEWS01/310010090/Expert-Poker-chip-case-highlights-security-issue