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Pro-Family Leader Warns Against Gambling on Military Posts

by Ed Thomas
October 31, 2005

(AgapePress) - Family Research Council president Tony Perkins is warning about the damaging effects of gambling outlets on U.S. military bases. He calls gambling a menace to society -- one which has crept into military communities as well.

An estimated 8,000 slot machines are located on U.S. bases around the world, Perkins notes. But while these gambling devices may be making money for those military installations, he says they are also dangerously ensnaring a growing population of servicemen into costly and potentially devastating habits.

The pro-family leader cites a recent New York Times article which documents the fact that the armed forces' health treatment programs, by and large, are not equipped to handle the problem of gambling addiction in service personnel. So, rather than getting the help they need, he points out, these men and women are often just cut loose in disgrace.

[Photo compliments of Family Research Council]
Tony Perkins   
"The military is not set up, nor are they seeking to help those who have gambling problems," Perkins says. "What they're doing is simply giving them a dishonorable discharge. And in many cases their lives and their families are a wreck at that point."

It has recently come to light, the FRC spokesman notes, that slot machines and bingo have provided millions of dollars in income for military bases for at least a decade at the expense of more and more servicemen who become addicted to gambling. He feels it is inappropriate for the military and the civilian companies that provide the gaming to benefit from a practice that encourages armed forces personnel to put their futures in jeopardy.

"I think it's absolutely wrong," Perkins asserts, "that the military itself would entice people into activity that they know is harmful -- that could ultimately lead to the destruction of their military careers and their families." He says that is not a fit encouragement for uniformed services that are supposed to be promoting the best in their members.

Perkins believes gambling devices should be barred from military bases and would like to see an appropriations bill in Congress that would ban slot machines from all U.S. military installations. However, he admits it will take support for such legislative action from Congress to make this happen.
Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.

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(My Note:  Bible Study is dangerous and should not be allowed, but gambling is no problem. HUH???)

This is no different than alcohol on bases. The Military does provide assistance, counciling and even budget classes making it mandantory for those that have financial problems. When the person gets put out of the Military it is because they have not properly cooperated with these programs, already have had family problems and started into such things as writing bad checks and conning other Miltary personell.

There is no program that will be effective if the person does not want the help. These people get to that point they are a definite security risk in a job that requires a great deal of security.

Take such things off the Military bases and they will still seek them out and still have these problems. Don't get me wrong. I am all for shutting such activities down period. All I am saying is that it is not the solution.

God is!!

Pastor Roger,

Brother, I certainly agree that God is the only real answer for all kinds of plagues that result in misery for families. I knew about alcohol on military bases, but I didn't know about gambling. Both are obviously plagues to mankind, and I know that people will find these things if they really want them.

In reading the article, it just doesn't seem right that the base would benefit financially while making something easily available that will most certainly destroy a percentage of the customers and result in the torture of their families. Some might think that I have over-stated the misery caused by these things, but I really haven't. This really makes me sad.

Love in Christ,
Tom

Galatians 3:11 NASB  Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

The only bases that have gambling available is in the areas that have legalized gambling (unless that has changed since I got out). Even though the bases can do what they desire separate from the state or country that they are in this was the common practice. i.e. Gambling in the Philippines was legal so the bases in that area also had gambling. Yet there is a Military law that prevented people from openly gambling onboard ships. I think that the idea was "they can get it just off base so why not provide it on base also".

I saw an individual that had spent 17 years making the Navy a career. He was an E-7 getting ready to make E-8. He would have had E-8 in just 3 months when, because of his gambling adiction, wrote over $8,000.00 in bad checks at the local Navy exchange.  He ended up loosing his family and his career because he refused to co-operate with the programs available to him.

Yes it is saddening as well as maddening.