A little background. There is a program in the military, common referred to as MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation). The basic principle is that it provides those three things, in various forms, for military personnel and their families... and it's (supposed) to be profit free. Such examples would be modern, nautilus style gyms, movie theaters, recreational activities, discounted vacation spots and hotels, etc.
Overall it's a great program and works well.
I've never been stationed overseas, and I've never even HEARD of this. military slot machines? That's just an obviously bad idea from the start. Here's the story.
http://www.cnn.com/...
A bill in Congress seeks to eliminate military slot machines overseas that take in $130 million a year, mostly from soldiers.
Good.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tennessee, named the bill after Army Warrant Officer Aaron Walsh, a decorated Apache helicopter pilot who became addicted to gambling on military slot machines.
Walsh eventually was discharged from the Army. He committed suicide after several failed attempts to break his addiction.
Now one (could) argue that such programs also provide tax free cigarettes and alcohol, which are also addicting. But slot machines? That's a whole different category. They are designed TAKE YOUR MONEY and there's no limit to how fast it can suck it away. I went to Reno a few weeks ago, and watched a guy lose between $5-10K in 45 minutes at the blackjack table.
The Army operates 3,000 slot machines on overseas posts, raising $130 million in revenue each year. Other branches of the military operate their own gaming programs.
Just so you have the numbers.
In a statement released by the Pentagon earlier this year, Undersecretary of Defense Leslye Arsht said gambling on bases and posts provides "a controlled alternative to unmonitored host-nation gambling venues and offers a higher payment percentage, making it more entertainment oriented than that found at typical casinos."
Somehow I don't think Chief Aaron Walsh would agree. Have I gambled in the military? F_ck yeah. But that's always been a $20 buy in to play Texas Hold'm all night with the guys.
Last, I don't think this story should necessarily be viewed with great cynicism. I think it's more a matter of poor judgment.