> twice as likely to become problem gamblers than the general population

Well, if I wanted to have a way to turn military personnel for secrets and power, I'd buy up their debt.

Or better yet, make gambling that's tailored to attract them, and then put them in debt by exploiting this insight.

Which neatly side-steps initial screenings for debt related to security clearances. If they have debt from gambling from their time in the armed services, and they already have a security clearance, then an initial screening won't catch it.

https://www.debt.org/veterans/military-security-clearances/