U.S. Military Charged Thousands of Casino Tabs to Taxpayer-Funded Cards

^{Pictured: Senator Joni Ernst calls for a major overhaul of government travel card use}

U.S. military personnel made over 11,000 questionable purchases last year using taxpayer-funded government credit cards, with expenses ranging from gambling to bar tabs and nightclub visits. According to Fox News, the revelations have prompted calls for an audit from House Oversight Chairman James Comer and Senator Joni Ernst.

These government-issued cards are intended strictly for official travel expenses (such as lodging, meals, and transportation) during duty-related trips. Last fiscal year, more than $40 billion was spent under this program.

However, a Pentagon inspector general’s review uncovered that nearly 8,000 transactions were conducted at “high-risk locations”, including casinos.

An additional 3,246 charges were made at bars and nightclubs. Many of those were logged on high-profile dates such as Super Bowl Sunday, UFC 300, St. Patrick’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.

“It is indefensible for Department of Defense bureaucrats to waste tax dollars at clubs, casinos, and bars, racking up charges on Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and federal holidays. The last thing we need is bureaucrats maxing out their tab and sticking taxpayers with the bill,” said Sen. Ernst, who is pushing for reforms to how these cards are used. “I’m working to create accountability government-wide.”

This follows earlier reports showing that in 2023 alone, military personnel charged at least $500,000 in taxpayer funds for gambling, alcohol, nightclub visits, and online games.