Dave Yeager’s deployment in Seoul, South Korea, brought an unexpected encounter with a chamber of glitzy, casino-like slot machines. An officer in the U.S. Army, Yeager was grappling with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the longing for his family back home. Despite never having seen slot machines on a military base before—they were absent from the U.S.—he decided to try his luck, seeking solace in the gamble. As he played, he felt his tensions ease. When he won, the stress and anxiety momentarily vanished.
However, the initial relief from playing was short-lived. Yeager’s time at subsequent military bases revealed more rooms filled with slot machines, leading to a deepening obsession that lasted around three months. This led to severe financial consequences—he drained his savings, sold possessions, and resorted to theft from his unit without seeking help, fearing no one could assist him.
Veterans and service members, while not universally impacted as Yeager was, have been found by researchers like Shane W. Kraus from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to have a higher propensity for gambling disorders compared to civilians. Despite this, many service members are reluctant to seek help, fearing repercussions like loss of rank, security clearance, or even a dishonorable discharge.
In recent years, military slot machine programs have seen increasing profits, yet advocates argue that not enough is invested in educating about gambling problems. The Army Recreation Machine Program (ARMP), managing 1,889 slot machines in 79 overseas locations such as Korea, Japan, and Germany, generated $70.9 million in the 2024 fiscal year with $53 million in net proceeds. The Air Force runs a separate similar program.
Revenues have been on the rise, with fiscal year 2023 yielding $64.8 million and $63.1 million in the previous year. From October 2024 to May 2025, the ARMP earned about $47.7 million while returning roughly $37 million in jackpots over $1,200. Historically, the ARMP had revenue exceeding $100 million, though it declined between 2010 and 2020 due to “movement and reductions in force and installations,” according to Neil Gumbs, general manager of ARMP Installation Management Command (IMCOM). Post-2020, growth resumed, fueled partly by boredom during Covid-19, alongside investments in new equipment and cost reductions enhancing the entertainment offered.