Slot machines operated by the U.S. Department of Defense raise more than 13 billion yen from U.S. military personnel every year.
The US Department of Defense operates more than 3000 slot machines under the name of military `` morale enhancement, welfare benefits, and recreation ''. While such US military slot machines earn more than 100 million dollars (about 13 billion yen) annually, gambling dependence of members is a problem.
US military-run slot machines earn $100 million a year from service members overseas : NPR
As of 2017, more than 3,000 slot machines operated by the US military have been deployed at US military bases in 12 countries. There are 52 slot machines at the base of Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean, and although you cannot enter the casino unless you are 21 years old, even 18-year-old members can play with this slot machine. can.
These slot machines are managed by the 'morale, welfare and recreation' groups of each military branch and are 'high-quality, customer-friendly games that contribute to the resilience, retention, responsiveness and quality of life of our personnel.' It aims to provide core programs and services.
In the early 2000s, without slot machines, he couldn't afford to buy a golf course for his men or an activity center for his family. ``Slot machines are a major contributor to many recreational and overseas entertainment,'' said Nicole Schwegman, a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense.
A 2008 study of 31,000 U.S. Air Force recruits found that 6.2% exhibited behavior that would be considered gambling addiction, and a 2016 study of veterans found that 4.2% of recruits were out of deployment. suspected or known to have been addicted to gambling after a period of The
NCPG Executive Director Keith White said, 'Young, risk-taking male operatives are more likely to suffer from substance abuse, stress, depression, PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and these problems are It's all about gambling addiction.'
Soldiers deployed abroad tend to feel lonely and separated from their friends and family, even as their salaries increase. Therefore, the members who seek entertainment on the base will depend on the nearby slot machines.
In 2018, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Senator Steve Danes jointly expressed the view that gambling addiction in the military could pose a threat to national security. However, no bill was enacted to help soldiers suffering from gambling addiction.
Some veterans, including patients with gambling addiction, see these slot machines as '
``In terms of gambling, there is no data to show that the slot machines in the base are harm reduction,'' said Timothy Fong of the University of California, Los Angeles. ``I am concerned that these slot machines are controlled by the Department of Defense, not by public health agencies or gambling regulators,'' he said.
According to Fung, one of the most dangerous aspects of gambling addiction is that it 'is invisible, unlike other addictions.' Signs of gambling addiction include theft, fraud, going out without permission, and behaviors that lead to discharge due to problematic behavior such as behavioral disorders. Therefore, it seems that it is often too late when gambling addiction is discovered.
The United States government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs , is working to address this problem, including by running a rehabilitation program for veterans and active service members with gambling addiction. The annual health check-up for all members will also include three questions to identify gambling addiction.
The US Department of Defense says, ``We are managing to minimize the possibility of gambling addiction by limiting business hours, access to slot machines, the number, amount, and prizes.'' However, when slot machines are in close proximity, management alone is not enough.
When Mr. Dave Yeager, a former army officer, arrived at the Yongsan base in South Korea, he found himself going to slot machines almost every day, even though he had no problems with gambling addiction. Also, even on the day I was in the slot room all day, I recall that no one blamed Mr. Yeager for saying, 'You are staying too long here.'
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