On-base gambling overseas nets $100M, raises concern

U.S. military-run slot machines and card rooms on overseas bases have generated more than $100 million a year and operate in locations including Germany, South Korea and Japan. The Army Recreation Machine Program ran about 1,889 slot machines across 79 sites as recently as last year. Domestic U.S. military installations have prohibited gambling devices since 1951, but overseas facilities continue to host gaming that is not regulated to civilian standards.

Veteran Dave Yeager recalled finding a slot room on a South Korea base after the 2001 attacks. He described his gambling escalating there, which led to thefts from his unit, the end of his marriage and the end of his military career. After an honorable discharge he entered Department of Veterans Affairs treatment in 2007, later relapsed and returned to treatment in 2020. He now works as a behavioral health specialist treating gambling-related disorders, has written about his experience and will serve on a DoD research consumer review panel.

Researchers and advocates report that service members face higher risk for gambling harms because of stress, trauma and a culture that can discourage admitting problems. Studies indicate service members are about twice as likely as civilians to develop gambling disorders. Among veterans who seek treatment for gambling disorder, roughly 40% report a prior suicide attempt, according to treatment data cited by advocates.

Policy activity has begun to change. Congress required military screening for gambling problems in 2019. The fiscal 2026 defense appropriations law authorized federal research funding on gambling addiction through the Department of Defense’s Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program. The program will accept applications across the research pipeline and plans to publish two information papers on recommended awards, the first by the end of March 2027 and a second by the end of May 2027.

Advocates and former military clinicians recommend adding responsible-gambling safeguards to on-base operations, including voluntary limit-setting, player identification, stronger education and routine screening. Some propose dedicating one to two percent of slot revenues to fund education, screening and treatment and retraining military clinicians to recognize and treat gambling disorders without triggering career penalties.

The Department of Defense advises service members experiencing gambling harms to seek screening and care at Military Treatment Facilities and to use military and veterans’ health resources. The department points to Military OneSource, virtual and in-person counseling through the Military Health System Mental Health Hub, TRICARE coverage for addiction treatment for family members and the InTransition program for confidential mental health care during periods of transition. The department noted that members will not be penalized for seeking help.

Veterans and advocates report gaps remain in prevention, clinical training and stigma that can keep service members from seeking help. They warn that without binding rules on responsible-gambling features and dedicated treatment funding, on-base gaming may continue to expose young service members to harms that can carry into civilian life.