Status: U Return-Path: Received: from mail.papermoneyworld.net ([207.3.91.49]) by walker.mail.mindspring.net (Earthlink Mail Service) with SMTP id u2kh9j.e1qc.37kbi73 for ; Wed, 26 Dec 2001 16:46:27 -0500 (EST) Subject: MPC GRAM Precedence: bulk Sender: mpcgramsender-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net From: mpcgramsender-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net (List Server) Date: Wed, 26 Dec 101 15:07:37 CST Message-Id: <10112261507.AA10A2BDAD@mail.papermoneyworld.net> Repy-To: mpcgramsender-owner@mail.papermoneyworld.net Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 09:32:32 -0800 (PST) From: MPCgram Subject: MPCGram 523 ============================================== MPC Gram ============================================== Covering the Entire World of Military Numismatics ---------------------------------------------- Series 003-Number 523 Wednesday, December 26, 2001 More on Military Slot Machine Tokens Submitted by Joe Boling Further to Howard Daniel's submission of an item on slot machines in military facilities, the following article appeared this week in Army Times. Critic questions DoD's objectivity on slot-machine issue By Karen Jowers, Times Staff Writer [Army Times, 24 December 2001, page 7] Slot machines on overseas military bases aren't bad for the troops, the Defense Department says -- but at least one critic questions that conclusion reached by the very organization that benefits from the multimillion-dollar business. There is no doubt the lost revenue from the machines' removal would have a "profound negative effect," the Nov. 5 Pentagon report concludes. Such a hit would cut back or eliminate many morale, welfare and recreation [MWR] programs. But the very MWR people responsible for the slots program are the ones who did the report, which raises questions about its validity, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. "It's difficult to examine yourself, especially when it comes to problem gambling, which is so poorly understood, even by psychiatrists," Whyte said, "It's like the fox watching the henhouse." The council is neutral on the merits of gambling but is dedicated to helping problem gamblers, be said. "It helps to have an outside, objective view," Whyte said. "But it's very difficult to have someone profiting from gambling take an objective look at it." He said defense officials originally contracted with an independent company to do the research, "but a stop-work order was placed before the research was completed." Defense officials had no comment about whether the contract was stopped or why. Army Maj. James Cassella, a Pentagon spokesman, said each of the services gave information to Defense Department MWR policy officials, who then compiled the 13-page report. Congress ordered the study because of concerns that slot machines might be luring service members, their families and others into trouble. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., chairman of the House panel that oversees military MWR programs, first raised concerns about slot machines last year. Bartlett is aware an outside contractor originally had been hired but is satisfied with the findings, said his spokeswoman, Lisa Wright. In a prepared statement, Bartlett said, "This report represents a serious effort by the Department of Defense to study the impact of slot machines on overseas military bases. I have studied the report and accept its conclusion that military communities overseas are not seriously impacted by the presence of slot machines." The report said no data are available that specifically link service members' financial problems to slot-machine use. It pointed to a 1999 survey showing a higher percentage of enlisted people in the United States reported financial problems than those based overseas. Since only overseas bases have slot machines, the problems can't be attributed to the slots, Wright said. According to the Pentagon report, senior commanders who monitor troop morale and welfare concluded people are moderate in their use and "that the presence of these machines produces no causative negative impact on morale or financial well-being of the force." Big business for MWR MWR programs would suffer greatly without the revenue from slots, which subsidizes other installation recreation programs at reduced prices. Without slot-machine revenue, the services' morale programs would be short by $65.3 million, the report said. According to calculations by Army Times using information in the report and from defense officials, about $2.26 billion in nickels and quarters were played in slot machines in 2000. The machines are programmed to return 92.5 percent of the money to players, so players got back about $2.09 billion. The services received more than $170 million in revenue from the slots. Of that, about $45 million was spent on operating expenses of the machines, according to Army Times calculations. Defense officials contend the machines are controlled more tightly than ones governed by the Nevada State Gaming Board, the gaming-industry standard. Slot machines are a pillar of financial support for the military services' revenue-generating morale, welfare and recreation programs. Slot-machine net income in millions, by service: FY99 FY00 Army $70m $74m Navy $14m $16m Air Force $29m $24m Marine Corps $14m $11m Total $127m $125m Boling's comments: look at that gross gambling figure--$2.26 billion annually. A billion dollars is a LOT of money. I have strength figures for only the Army at hand; assuming that the Army's slot machine maintenance overhead is the average, then Army clubs took in a bit over $100 million in gross receipts (the house cut) in FY2000. If that was 7.5% of the amount gambled, as reported, then Army troops put $1.33 billion through the slots in FY2000. But, only about 25% of soldiers are overseas, where the slot machines are; that means that those overseas troops are gambling about $11,000 EACH--every one of them, every year! I don't believe it. These books have been cooked. ============================================== Editorial ---------------------------------------------- Sorry that we missed yesterday’s Gram. I had every intention of getting a Gram out, but I drove 1300 miles in two days and just could not get it done. I considered making this a double issue. That is a technique used by many numismatic journals when they miss an issue. I hate taking that approach so I guess that the only possibility is to extend all subscriptions by one issue. Consider it done. ============================================= Mail Call ---------------------------------------------- Dear Esteemed Editor, I was reading my January 2002 issue of (ANA's) The Numismatist today and came across an item starting on page 82 about the ANA Summer Seminar. There was no mention of the "military" classes nor that we have scholarships for collectors to attend them. Please see that the person responsible for publicity is reprimanded and updated with information about "our" parts of the ANA Summer Seminar. Howard A. Daniel III Hello Fred, Someone complained in the MPCgram that he receives the email Dated 1969 which puts it at the top of his list. The gram arrives at my computer dated 1941 which puts it at the end of the list (newer dates at the top). Is the 1941 date deliberate or a computer malfunction? Bruce Smith ================================================ Departments ------------------------------------------------- Calendar of events for Gramsters maintained by Howard Daniel, Nancy and John Wilson and Gram staff, last updated September 7, 2001 show reports are requested on all events. Even if it was not a great show, there must be something to report. What and whom did you see? Market activity? Share your observations and thoughts with Gramsters everywhere. ---------------------------------------------------- Special "MPC" events March 2002 8-10 - MPCFest III - reservations in order received: Guido Crapanzano, Harold Kroll, Larry Smulczenski, Gary "Got any fours" Hicks, Tom Warburton, David Seelye, Jack Lippincot, Phil Goldstein, Warner Talso, Nick Schrier, Richard Freyser, Tom Koch, Mark Watson, Bill Yanchick, Doug Bell, Sam Feeback, Bruce Potter, Elmer Smith, Marv Mericle, Wes and Rod Hardy, Marcus Turner, Gene Ryanwood, Al Glaser, Fred Schwan {running total 25}] [missing “old” Festers: Dan Swartz, Leo May, Al Glaser, Kevin Maloy (did I forget someone?), come on guys, give us your reservation] Three airports are reasonably available for the Fest. In order of proximity they are: Toledo Cleveland Detroit (Metro) All three are reasonable. If you can arrive early enough AND coordinate it well ahead, every attempt will be made to pick you up at the airport to save on rental cars. Festers are encouraged to coordinate among themselves for rides. We will also run notices in the Gram and, finally, we will try to coordinate for Festers to run pickups from Fest central. June 29 to July 5 W.W.II numismatics seminar at ANA Summer Seminar, July 2002 Session I (June 29 through July 5, 2002) Session II (Sunday, July 7 through Thursday, July 11, 2002) general events will return soon --------------------------------------------------- Donations are now being accepted for scholarships to the 2002 "Military Money" course at the 2002 ANA Summer Seminar. Inquiries and donations should be sent to: Military Numismatists c/o Marcus Turner 8103 East US Highway 36 Suite 163 Avon, IN 46123 Donors to 2002 Scholarship Fund Steve Feller Harold Kroll R. A. Medina Guido Crapanzano David Seelye Leo May Warner Talso Marv Mericle Mark Watson Gail Baker Joel Shafer Ed Hoffman ==================================================== Post/Base Exchange (PX/BX/NEX) Dump your dupes! Your classified advertisement for items for sale will be run here for free. Send your ads to the gram. This service is for everyone, most humble dealer or most advanced collector. The point is to make the gram more interesting. Send in a list of items for sale and we will list them here in the gram. In all cases confirm your order via email first. SPECIAL NOTICE We are in a mad final push to complete the fourth edition of our MPC bible! We can and will have it to the printer before Christmas! The resources section is one of the major areas where work is needed. Place your advertisement now! If you ordered an ad in the past and we have not spoken about it recently, please confirm. This is your chance to get your message to thousands of collectors and dealers world wide. With an advertisement in The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates you will receive many extras (these may change over time): listing in the Hot Contact List every month in the Bank Note Reporter, in the book itself, at papermoneyworld and probably right here in the Gram. Here is what is available: Inside back cover, one spot $1900* Last page $1700 Full page in resources section $750 Three quarter page $550 Half page $500 Quarter page $400 *full color available for this position. Monthly payment option available. Make your reservation now! FOR SALE Ireland Currach 1 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling, 2 shilling Campbell 5550-5553 EF set of 4 $300.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. Austria IRO 1 Unit Campbell 7360 VF $250.00 postpaid insured for domestic delivery. coinman@rochester.rr.com WANTED Collectors may submit lists of items wanted for their collections for listing here. Dealers and collectors who have these items are then encouraged to list them or sale in the above section. This is a trial, if you like it, send your list. =================================================== Staff: publisher and editor: Fred Schwan - MPCGram@Yahoo.com; assistant editor - Phil Goldstein IWANTMYMPC@aol.com distribution manager - Brad Peacock bp22@swbell.net Tuesday columnist Joe Boling – JoeBoling@aol.com Thurski columnist Larry “Ski” Smulczenski –ski@papermoneyworld.net critic: Harold Kroll - MPCKid@papermoneyworld.net fact checker: Warner Talso index manager: Ed Beaman webmaster & technical advisor: Doug Bell - (Wiz): doug@papermoneyworld.net; The Boss: Judy Schwan ===== MPC Gram is published by BNR Press and papermoneyworld.com as a free service to the community of military money collectors. Your suggestions, criticisms, complaints, editorial contributions, letters, and even praise are very welcome. The entire contents including linked illustrations are copyright protected by the publishers. In the case of contributors, the copyright is protected on behalf of the creators. Please send all correspondence regarding the gram to MPCgram@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for your participation. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com