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Possibility of Problem Gambling Rise Disturbs US Military
WASHINGTON, D.C. --
US Army leaders are concerned that statistics show a rise in gambling at bases in Europe. Army strategists worry that gambling might combine with the stress of army life overseas to create addiction harmful to soldiers and their families.
Both personnel returning from hazardous duty dealing with a return to a safer environment and families and soldiers living on base without much stimulation could be subject to problem gambling, says Colonel Nils Sorenson. Sorenson told Stars and Stripes, "It (gambling) is a stress release, and then it becomes addictive."
Slot machines at army bases in Germany showed a significant increase in revenue for fiscal 2008 over the previous year.
A psychiatrist based at a US army garrison in Germany said that gambling may be a manifestation or symptom of greater pressures and concerns. Dr. David Brown asserted the need to monitor soldiers for signs of compulsive gambling and other issues demanding therapy.
Still, Dr. Brown doesn't see gaming as the core of the problem, and allows that some gambling can be an outlet or relief from boredom. "Most people are gambling responsibly, drinking responsibly and mountain biking responsibly," he said when asked if the slots were a problem.
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