Over the years I have read many articles in the Stars and Stripes about the benefits of having slot machines on military bases in Korea. Of course the MWR programs reap millions of dollars annually from slot machine revenue, and I don't think it all remains in Korea.
According to an article in the Stars and Stripes "the Army machines return in winnings 93.5 percent of the money put into them. The remaining 6.5 percent is kept by MWR."
I am still trying to find the "benefits" of these machines. On the other hand, I know of many cases of financial problems and courts martial that are directly related to addiction to these machines. What am I missing here?

I don't see any benefit for having gambling on any installation. I guess most installation commanders feel that people are adults and can make their own choices. BUT obviously there are problems or we wouldn't see all of those AFN commercials stating the negatives of slots.

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well i guess it would give people something to do, But i think they could come up with soemthign better

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Yeah, I don't see the logic here. Some bases throw a big fit at people "gambling" during march madness, yet they have no problem when the profits end up in AAFES pockets.

I lived in 'Vegas for five years after retirement from the AF. One of my brothers-in-law spent over 20 years working in the Casino business, and did very well for himself. He now owns a Casino near Las Vegas.
The military bases overseas and at some stateside areas, have traditionally drawn considerable revenue from machines. Gotta go more tonight.

Everytime I go into a slot room I see the same people there. Some of them are there from the time the club opens until it closes. One added benefit that is not mentioned is it can provide additional risky employment for some club employees as a "Shylock".

Without any scientific evidence to back me up, I would venture to say that most of the money spent in slot machines is from local nationals. Many who probably don't have a base pass. Last year at Yongsan, a
"lady" was busted for signing on individuals and taking them to the DHL to play slots. I guess this was her daily business and she signed in the max personnel (5). She had around a million dollars in her personal bank account. No a bad business.

In 1997 at Osan, leadership decided to place an ID checker at the entrance to the slot machine room in the Challenger club. The club went from being packed to almost empty. After a month and revenue droping drastically, leadership decided to back off and took away the ID checker. Apparently profit was more improtant than standards.

During that same time period an E-7 in my unit was convicted of using his travel card to obtain money to play the slots and reduced three ranks. Good guy with an addiction. I don't think the money he obtained using the travel card, and spent in the slot machines, was given back by MWR.
Their gain - his loss.

Jim,

I agree with you. At any moment you will see a majority of Koreans playing the slots.

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Whatever happens I hope they don't take away the slot machines at Osan. My dad manages that stuff, so I would hate for him to loose his job.

The down side of having my dad as the manager means I can't play the slots, unless I go to humphries. Ohh yeah and I don't think he like's the job a whole lot, to much stress he said. so no bad mouthing him.

Continued from this morning...
Mucho Dinero is returned to MWR for very little effort from slot machines and video poker machines. Over time it can mean many benefits to the service
members. For example, even if 97 percent is returned to the players, (it doesn't mean you!) and 3 percent goes to the house (MWR) it adds up quickly. At only $3000 per day (a modest figure) that's $90 per day. Multiply that times 360 days=$32,400 per year. A nice little boost to your bowling alley or club. (Tax free on Federal Property.)
We owned a restaurant once. One poker machine, with the profits split 50/50 with the machine company, paid our rent on the restaurant.
Gamblers, drunks, gullible and ignorant people exist throughout the world. It is inevitable that some will have money problems. Why should they gamble off post when they could benefit themselves by gambling on post? Sorry. Put up a sign-"Credit Cards and Slot Machines can ruin you life". Heck, put up four signs! The Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund will still increase significantly due to slot machines.