Congressman Lincoln Davis Announces Legislation to End Soldier-Subsidized Gambling on Military Facilities December 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Lincoln Davis introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of "gambling devices" such as slot machines on all Department of Defense facilities.

Currently, the Department of Defense pays for a small portion (5%) of its Morale, Welfare and Recreation program from slot machine winnings it takes from the troops, accruing well over $100 million in net revenue through the program. Davis's legislation would end the practice of paying for government programs out of the pockets of our soldiers.

"If American men and women are willing to serve our country overseas we should not be dependent on them to pay for the recreational activities they deserve," Davis said. "The risks are simply too high and too many to ask that of our soldiers."

Davis's inspiration for the legislation came from a report on Aaron Walsh, a decorated Apache helicopter pilot for the Army, who was discharged from the military and eventually took his own life because of a gambling addiction that began at a base in Germany. Congressman Davis is naming the legislation the "Warrant Officer Aaron Walsh Stop DOD Sponsored Gambling Act," in his honor.

Davis attempted earlier this year to add an amendment to the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill to fund an analysis of gambling-related problems in the annual "Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Military Personnel." The amendment was not adopted.