Video Poker 24/7 - Video Poker Machines on Base Topic of Conversation

Video Poker 247 - Video Poker Machines on Base Topic of Conversation

It seems that there is dissention in the ranks – some say that the video poker and slot machines on the bases are a problem for our service personnel and need to be removed, while others say that they are not a problem and that they need to stay. What is in fact true is that many of our service personnel are developing addictions to video poker and the like, and something does need to be done about it.

There was recently the case where a serviceman had developed a gambling addiction to the slot machines on base and sought help. He was unsuccessful in doing so and ended up killing himself. This is the case that really started all of the probing into what was going on with our men and women overseas.

As the stories started pouring in, it became apparent that more service men and women had problems than previously suspected. The latest statistics show that somewhere around 30,000 of our troops may have developed a problem with gambling, and it is due to the video poker and slot machines that are on their bases. The military says that the money goes to moral and recreation programs for the troops, but others say that the money has to come from somewhere other than the troops’ pockets.

Rep. Lincoln Davis says that the money for those programs is coming at too high of a price and wants to see the video poker and slot machines removed from the bases. He says that the government is not only condoning gambling from our service personnel but that they are creating addicts by giving this as their main source of entertainment. By making it so readily available they are creating the addicts that they refuse to treat later on.

Back to February 2008 Archive