Military's Love Affair With Gambling

Every day, it seems, brings another story of creative financing for cash-strapped federal operations that makes one long for the days when good ol' appropriations did the job. The New York Times reports today that "about $2 billion flows through military-owned slot machines at officers' clubs, activities centers and bowling alleys on overseas bases each year." The house gets 6 percent of the take, so every year, the armed forces get more than $120 million from slot machines. That money funds other recreational activities, so the services are loathe to give it up, despite the fact that on-base gambling has a checkered history.