Did you know Our Military Owns & Runs CASINOS?

[elehhhhna]

http://stripes.com/article.asp?article=33536

Now several casinos on overseas U.S. Navy bases are going “coinless,” say Morale, Welfare and Recreation officials, in hopes of fattening MWR budgets. Naval Air Facility Atsugi went “coinless” last week as a test; MWR there spent some $280,000 on 28 new slots that let players bet pennies, nickels or quarters on whichever machine they choose...snip

Yager referred to a 2001 congressional report, “The Effect of the Ready Availability of Slot Machines on Members of the Armed Forces, Their Dependents and Others.” The report outlined how slot machines in MWR facilities overseas have no negative effect on the morale or financial stability of U.S. forces, their family members or civilian employees.

http://stripes.com/article.asp?article=33536

[tx_dem41]

1. I wish the government wasn't involved in any form of gambling...

lotteries, casinos, horseracing, etc. And, I'm not a prude on the issue. I love going to the track. I just don't like the government sponsoring it or running it.

[Squatch]

The money from those slot machines goes right back into MWR

to provide recreational services to military members and their families.

[tx_dem41]

7. I'm not saying the proceeds can't be used for good purposes...

I just consider it gambling a regressive tax system, albeit voluntary. But not only is it voluntary, its also very highly coercive, with the government directly involved (in some forms of gambling, like the lottery) in the coercion.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. Agree.

At least with the mob running the gambling you can expect an honest payout.

[Squatch]

2. Yep. I once won $164 on a single pull at Camp Casey, Korea.

[Ezlivin]

3. They should be playing the draft lottery

That's the sort of gambling that will get all Americans involved in supporting their troops.

[AllegroRondo]

4. Camp Red Cloud NCO club had "casino night" once a month

this was in Korea. The military cannot operate casinos in the US.

But there were slot machines in nearly every NCO club, available all the time. Once a month they had a party with table games and dealers. I won $250 on blackjack once. But it became a serious problem for some people.

[Squatch]

5. Who were you with at CRC?

[Canuckistanian]

6. Shades of China's People's Liberation Army

The PLA run quite a few commercial ventures in China.

[soothsayer]

8. Sure, you can even see slots in the officer's club on Mash