Slot machines on abroad United States navy bases may quickly be turned off if a congressional lawmaker from New York will get his manner in Washington, DC.
A soldier tries his luck on a slot machine at a US Military base in Germany in 2009. A congressional lawmaker from New York needs to cease permitting slot machines on abroad navy bases. (Picture: Stars and Stripes)
It’d come as a shock to some that Las Vegas-like slot machines stay on many abroad navy installations run by the US authorities. US Rep. Paul Tonko (D-New York) thinks that’s a nasty factor and desires the playing terminals eliminated.
Tonko hopes to perform that by tacking on an modification to the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2025 fiscal yr. Tonko submitted an modification to the annual federal invoice earlier than the Could 31 deadline.
Modification 624, if accredited by Congress and added to the US Division of Protection funds invoice, would prohibit “funding from getting used to function slot machines on navy bases.”
Tonko, a congressman since January 2009 representing New York within the US Capitol, is changing into an outspoken critic of sports activities betting in Washington, DC. Since 2023, he’s been pushing federal laws to limit how sportsbooks promote their companies and merchandise on the idea that the enlargement of sports activities playing is inflicting societal hurt.
Army Slots Huge Enterprise
Based on Army.com, the US navy banned slot machines on all home bases in 1951. Gaming machines have been faraway from abroad stations within the Seventies, however after troopers ventured off base to gamble — generally at underground unlawful playing hubs — the navy introduced again the terminals within the Nineteen Eighties.
Military.com says as of 2017 there have been greater than 3,000 slot machines on US navy bases in 12 international locations, with most in Japan, South Korea, and Germany. The US authorities features because the on line casino, or home, in reaping the monetary windfall the video games generate. After all, that income constitutes playing losses incurred by the navy group.
The US authorities has used the slot cash, which in 2015 On line casino.org reported to be north of $100 million a yr, to fund different leisure actions on navy bases. In 2015, US Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) sought to outlaw slot machines on navy bases on the idea that it was leading to playing dependancy issues amongst service members.
Practically a decade later, Tonko is elevating the identical considerations.
I’ve been main the cost in Congress to deal with the rise in downside playing, and I’m hopeful my NDAA provision would reduce the chance of our service members creating a playing dependancy,” Tonko informed Army.com.
“Our courageous servicemen and ladies sacrifice every thing to guard our nation and its freedoms. We should do all we will to assist them by confronting downside playing head-on and guaranteeing this recognized addictive product is handled with the seriousness and precaution that we do with different addictions,” Tonko added.
Odds Lengthy
The 2025 fiscal yr model of the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act obtained greater than 1,300 amendments. Because the protection spending invoice is a must-pass annual piece of laws, it’s a primary goal for legislative pork, although Tonko’s provision is actually military-focused and related.
The NDAA begins within the Home Guidelines Committee the place the 13-member committee will decide which amendments transfer ahead with extra consideration and a potential vote. The Home, nevertheless, is managed by the Republicans and has a 9 to 4 majority benefit within the Guidelines Committee.
Republicans prior to now have been gradual to assist the removing of slots from abroad navy bases. GOP members say a little bit of leisure and delight for many who want to take part isn’t one thing that Congress ought to stand in the way in which of.
