gambling while serving the country— is it possible?

[Reatim]

did you know that there are slot machines in american military bases all over the world? you will not be finding a full blown casinos in there but these machines offer enough entertainment to their soldiers i believe.

The machines are coordinated by the Army Recreation Machine Program (ARMP) and are located on military bases across the world (the ARMP runs slot machines for the Army, Navy and Marines, while the Air Force has their own program). The exact number of slot machines is unclear. Officially, there are "1,889 slot machines in 79 locations abroad, including Korea, Japan and Germany," Neil Gumbs, the general manager of the ARMP's installation program, told Wired. However, the National Council on Problem Gambling claims there are over 3,100.

the profit made using these machines is used by the military for their own programs so the money just goes back to them but it raises a few questions. first of all, how ethical it is to put slot machines in an environment where the tension, risk and stress are high? these soldiers undergo intense mental training trying to fight off traumatic experiences and loneliness away from their families and home. are these machines making them a lot more vulnerable to addiction?

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

[Fiatless]

the profit made using these machines is used by the military for their own programs so the money just goes back to them but it raises a few questions. first of all, how ethical it is to put slot machines in an environment where the tension, risk and stress are high? these soldiers undergo intense mental training trying to fight off traumatic experiences and loneliness away from their families and home. are these machines making them a lot more vulnerable to addiction?

These machines are stationed at military bases and not on the frontline. There is less danger or risk with military bases, so soldiers could relax and enjoy themselves. I have seen wild parties in some military, which is proof that they might be far from danger. Gambling could be a source of entertainment which could help soldiers overcome boredom. But it could also be a problem if it is misused. The military authority has the responsibility of putting in place restrictive measures, such as close monitoring, to limit addiction. An addicted military official should receive help from professionals immediately to avoid further harm.       

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

This question would be answered by reading the military rules and regulations of different countries. An addict might be declared unfit in country A and fit in country B. The military wants people who are brave, fearless and skilful. I don't think gambling addiction should be a basis for disqualification. If his gambling disorder doesn't affect his performance, he is qualified. 

[AbuBhakar]

the profit made using these machines is used by the military for their own programs so the money just goes back to them but it raises a few questions. first of all, how ethical it is to put slot machines in an environment where the tension, risk and stress are high? these soldiers undergo intense mental training trying to fight off traumatic experiences and loneliness away from their families and home. are these machines making them a lot more vulnerable to addiction?

First of all we should define what is the purpose of slot game in able to determine whether it’s ethical or not. Slot games is designed for entertainment purposes only so without further ado slot games on military base is not bad considering they use it to relieve stress from their job.

It’s almost low chance that a soldier will be addicted on that slot games because they have duty almost 24/7. They have no time to stick on slot games located on their based without being notice by their superior.

Logically speaking, there’s low danger of being addicted on that environment.

[swogerino]

As long as they are put in a publicly available place that can be seen and used by everyone I doubt there will be any problem regarding addiction or some other problem. The money goes back to the military so this is aiming at eliminating the problem from the beginning. Normally when I read the title of this thread I thought some soldiers had deserted into places like Las Vegas or Macau and started enjoying life there. As far as I know such things are heavily punished in many countries so great to see that it is not the case here. Gambling in the military can have really bad consequences if the soldiers get hooked to it and forget their initial aim which is defending the country against enemies.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I don't think that in an environment where there is always a daily routine, any of the servicemen will be able to develop a gambling addiction. They simply won't have time for it. Slot machines, in this case, serve exclusively as entertainment, and it is precisely in such an environment that the military needs to be distracted so as not to forget that they also have other feelings and that they can rejoice and relax. I know that there are also libraries and movie theaters; that is, in between services, people are required to rest, and how they prefer to do it is their choice.

[bakasabo]

the profit made using these machines is used by the military for their own programs so the money just goes back to them but it raises a few questions. first of all, how ethical it is to put slot machines in an environment where the tension, risk and stress are high? these soldiers undergo intense mental training trying to fight off traumatic experiences and loneliness away from their families and home. are these machines making them a lot more vulnerable to addiction?

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

If gambling helps soldier to cope with stress, get a relief, why it should be unethical to put slot machines in easy access for them? Imo it will be more unethical to let soldiers drink alcohol. Because a soldier who has gambling on his mind, can cause less problems than drunken trained soldier, who with huge desire, could get access to armory.

Soldiers have limited free time. They either train or in action. After training they would prefer to have a rest (I think they would use free time to sleep to recover) than gambling. During action, only an idiot will think about gambling, when he could get killed.

Little gambling wont hurt military. There are little number of  things that can keep their spirit, if gambling helps them to do it, then I see no problem with it.

[Rruchi man]

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

What would you say about the soldiers who were already addicted to gambling even before they joined the service? Will you say that because of the addiction to gambling, they should not be allowed to serve their country? Soldiers live a very regimented lifestyle. This is why addiction will be very difficult for them because most of their time is controlled. The purpose of such games in military bases is just to provide a form of entertainment for them and also to bring the base as much as possible close to the environment that some of these soldiers left for the war front.

[Merit.s]

Like you said, these soldiers are far from home and lonely, they need to gamble to entertain themselves and forget about whatever the problem is. I don't think that they gamble often, because there will be a specific time for that.

When you are in the war front, it's all about saving your ass and your kill your enemies so you wouldn't think about gambling. The soldiers only gamble in the military base where is very safe from attack of the enemies.

[purple_sparkles]

Like you said, these soldiers are far from home and lonely, they need to gamble to entertain themselves and forget about whatever the problem is. I don't think that they gamble often, because there will be a specific time for that.

When you are in the war front, it's all about saving your ass and your kill your enemies so you wouldn't think about gambling. The soldiers only gamble in the military base where is very safe from attack of the enemies.

If we consider the game specifically in relation to soldiers, it is a very sensitive issue. When it comes to soldiers who are constantly in combat zones, these are people who live under constant stress, with damaged psyches, and in such cases, critical thinking works worse. They are more prone to risky decisions, and when it comes to gambling, it usually plays against them.

[LDL]

I don't think gambling should be a means of entertainment for the military and for the military to pass the boring time. They should choose entertainment other than gambling. Since gambling is a serious addiction, if a soldier becomes seriously addicted to gambling, he will be deviating from his duties.
Moreover, if soldiers choose gambling for entertainment, if they lose huge amounts of money in gambling, then it is okay if the country and the government take responsibility for these losses, but no government will bear that. It will never be possible to choose gambling for the service of the country.

[Mr. Magkaisa]

For me this is a good relaxation for our brave soldiers, some beer and slot machine to relax and rest.
The profit of the slots will go to their circle also so this is a good to good.

Here in my country, everyone in serving the government is not allowed to casino, There are no slots on military base.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

First, you need to know that it's not usually the same thing with every country, some country do not even have this slot machine stationed at the soldiers base and there was an old thread on this board which described how the soldiers of a particular country are not allowed to gamble by law. So, in some countries I do believe that some soldiers could even be addicted and no body cares.

[Pi-network314159]

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

Basically a military personnel is not sopos to gamble or should not be gambling, because
1. gambling comes with a lot of distraction which if he keeps on gambling he may be distracted from doing his work in his primary place of assignment. What gambling can do to a military person is to become aggressive towards people for what is not necessary.
2. Gambling by a military person may reduce his personality to an extent he may be too familiar with people that are not meant to be associate with.

There are many things gambling can make a military person do which I may have forget to list here but in general, gambling is not meant for military, since it involves emotion and a n angry military person can go extra mile when they lose more, compeard to how civilians will react when they lose.

[Outhue]

Since you applied far away from home and lonely you should know that it's not bad at all for them to engage in gambling activities, let them have fun while they are not on duty, it helps a lot. Military men needs help more than mare citizens like us, many people have no idea what they have been through.

My father had a brother who was a soldier, after several wars and not getting in touch with him we tought he is dead, but he came back, half dead, because he is no longer the same man I know, the war had an effect on him so bad that he cries out at anytime like he was in a pool of dead bodies.

My father sacrificed alot to make sure that he is happy, he will always get him everything he ask for, food, shelter, caring and so on, thankfully he lived for a long time and slowly recovered, he died later and it broke my father.

[Hatchy]

second, if a soldier is a gambling addict does this make him unfit to serve in the military anymore? we know that addiction no matter where can make someone illogical and make him do things that he would otherwise never do. i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

I think I've come across this discussion before in the past her on the forum. If gambling we say it's used to take out stress and relax our mind, then I don't see anything wrong if the military has some slot machines to help chill their head after some tough days or survival missions. Yes it might make them abit addicted or loss focus but it would be very useful for them to smile or have fun while they are off the field. Addiction comes in when such person stays too much on the slot machine and don't go to his post for long which I don't think it's possible in military base.

[danherbias07]

I didn't know about that. Could it be that its purpose is just really for entertainment, and it just leveled up later on? I mean, the gambling industry is growing, and those who use those slot machines might want some extra risk while they are being entertained.

Anyway, I think there's really a good purpose for why it was set there, and it doesn't mean any harm to those soldiers. In their line of duty, there's no way they will be in that place for like 24 hours. It will just be a short period of time staying there, and they will probably just use it to take some rest instead of gambling. Let's not forget, they are trained with discipline. I doubt gambling addiction will be a problem for them.

[MArsland]

As long as they can keep everything in its proper place, then it's not a problem. What I mean is, even though it's gambling, as long as the soldiers are doing their jobs well, it's not a problem. Because gambling in the US has become a common activity, even though it has negative effects, it remains a long-standing tradition that cannot be changed. For soldiers, gambling is a way to relieve stress from the fatigue of their duties. And gambling with fellow soldiers can be a form of entertainment there.

Perhaps to us, such things sound bad for a soldier, but that doesn't mean it applies to people outside the military, including in the US.

[coin-investor]

did you know that there are slot machines in american military bases all over the world? you will not be finding a full blown casinos in there but these machines offer enough entertainment to their soldiers i believe.

 i am aware that these machines can cure their boredom but is it the best hobby to provide for their brave soldiers? what do you think?

I’m sure they have done an assessment and study on the effects of gambling on soldiers. We all know that soldiers are one of the most disciplined professions, and they constantly undergo periodic checks to ensure the stability of their minds and bodies.

These are not your average players; they are closely monitored. If they find that these games bother them, they will be restricted from playing them. Moreover, it’s a significant challenge for them to control their urge.

[Agbamoni]

My good guess is that, slot machines are kept in military's based to ease the stress of the soldiers after returning from a mission. At the same time, not all of them gets the fun at once, those on duty cannot leave their post to play slot machines. And not only slot machines are used for fun over there. There are other games, ceremonies and activities they do there to have fun when they are not on duty.

If you think the militaries are not humans they you are mistaking, they feel the same level of stress that you do and sometimes they need to have fun to ease the stress.

[Haunebu]

Why the heck not? There are military bases where the soldiers literally go to town in pubs and bars for reasons that we are all aware of in order to stay in peak condition mentally and physically.

In comparison, gambling games like slot machines etc are nothing at all. If they are becoming a nuisance somewhere, they could just replace it with some other alternative in that specific place.