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.
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.
