Military uses slot machines to fund overseas recreation

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CNN

Carrie Walsh's husband was a decorated Apache helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. But years ago, Aaron Walsh started playing slot machines on military bases. He became a gambling addict. It eventually ruined his military career.

Then last fall, with his life in a tailspin, the 34-year-old walked into the Maine woods, put a gun to his head and killed himself -- after what his wife says was one final "gambling binge."

"The military has this culture of taking care of their own," says Carrie Walsh. "But it seems like when it comes to this, they just, you know, profited from his addiction and then threw him away."

There are thousands of slot machines on military bases overseas. The military says the revenue from the slots -- well over $100 million annually -- is used to fund recreation programs overseas, such as swimming pools, movie theaters and concerts.

Critics say it is an outrage that the military, which has a budget of more than $500 billion this fiscal year, takes money from the pockets of its troops and runs slot machines that generate revenues that equal a medium-sized Las Vegas casino operation.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/22/military.gambling/index.html

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Great way to fleece the troops out of what little you pay them. :sarcasm: Maybe we ought to make them fund their damn war this way! Let's put slot machines in the WH and Halls of Congress!

[MADem]

1. This isn't LBN...they've been using slot machines since WW2 ended.

It's a legit way to fund MWR. They fall down on the job when they fail to check people who clearly have a gambling problem--that's an issue that club workers need to be trained on.

There has been a Morality Police effort to shitcan the slots at all clubs, but in that case, they might as well close the clubs completely. They're already Nannies about drinking.

Some people can get a roll of quarters, have some amusement, and leave it at that. Others are addicted. Hell, some people are addicted to food, but they don't shut down the dining room in the club, do they?

Check the LAW. You can't use taxpayers money any more to build bars, restaurants, fast food joints, movie theaters, and ball fields and internet cafes--all MWR activities. The only legitimate use of tax dollars for MWR facilities is for libraries, GYMS and TRACKS--to aid in education and maintain physical readiness.

MWR has to be SELF SUSTAINING. Slots are a good way of doing it. And they're very carefully managed--the verification and audit process is RIGOROUS. They actually pay the customer better than Vegas.

[BOSSHOG]

5. What MADEM said

MWR funds are raised many different ways and they result in gym and gym equipment for our "troops" along with other Morale, Welfare and Recreation Projects. While I appreciate your post, I would not blame the military for the subjects gambling addiction. There are no casinos or slot machines at the Gulfport CB Base or Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi but there are tons of casinos just a few miles right outside the gates of both bases and not a penny of the money our "troops" spends on them goes back to MWR. I've seen a whole bunch of good done for our kids via MWR funds and I'm thankful the program exists.

[SKKY]

7. I agree with you on almost all execept...

...that just about every Navy base I've been on has slot machines in the clubs. Here in Rota, even Pizza Villa has slot machines. It's like Navy Bases have been turned into mini Vegas'. But, for the most part, I agree. MWR does a world of good for all the minor hiccups like this one.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. Since WW2 ended?

This dumb draftee was only in the service for two years, so I don't know the entire history of slot machine in the clubs, but they were removed from my overseas NCO club in 1972. I'd be real interested to learn the reasons the were yanked for a short period of time, and who made the decision.

[valerief]

2. Slot machines are soooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring. nt

[soothsayer]

4. maybe they've got video slots now?

[valerief]

10. All slot machines are uber- boring. nt

[harlinchi]

3. They say that in the Army the pay is mighty fine...

...they give you a hundred dollars and take back ninety-nine!
Oh Lord, I wanna go-oh,
But they won't let me go-oh, ho-oh-ome!

They say that in the Army the food is mighty fine,
A chicken jumped off the table and started marking time!
Oh Lord, I wanna go-oh,
But they won't let me go-oh, ho-oh-ome!


E-4-1, Ft. Benning, GA, May-June-July 1981

[raouldukelives]

6. So no Playboys

But gambling is fine.

[rickrok66]

8. Slot Machines overseas

What everybody said is true. The slot machines are only overseas and they fund critical services for soldiers that cannot be funded by tax payers' money. For example, soldiers can ride the military busses for free between and posts and go to the movie theaters for free.

From my experience in Korea, the majority of the slots players are old Korean women who are often the wives of retirees or Koreans who are employed on post. It is a rarity to see soldiers playing slots.

I am not a member of the morality police, but I and many others don't like the fact that one is gaining money from the addictions of others. Anecdotally, most soldiers would rather pay to go to the movies than deal with the slots. Most of the time it is a place for the MPs to chase out people who shouldn't be playing them - like Korean locals.

BTW, Playboy and Penthouse are still sold in the PX because they are technically not porno. There is an actual committee in AAFES that determines what is and what isn't porno.

[w4rma]

9. In other words, the soldiers themselves are funding the recreation with their paychecks. (nt)