Working at a casino

Mateo1041

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This is something that's really been on my mind since earlier this year when we moved and I was hired by a casino as a database marketing analyst. I've heard a lot of different viewpoints, primarily from Christians, and am having trouble sorting through it all.

The environment is friendly and pretty laid back. Benefits are alright. The work is interesting. I personally enjoy playing Blackjack for fun, but have never played at a casino. I spent $5 once in Vegas just for the experience, but it was pretty boring. Overall, the place seems clean and "fair" from a functional perspective.

I do have a pretty good understanding of the Bible and have been following a 365-day program to finally read the entire thing. I've learned a lot so far, even more than I thought I'd learn. I realize Jesus said to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. I've seen others post random Bible passages to fit their agendas, but was hoping to gain more insight into the prevailing view that working at a casino is wrong.

Through considerable self-examination over the past few years, I've really come to realize that my calling is to share the Gospel and help provide information to combat common misconceptions about the Bible. I've even worked off and on on a website at BibleGrow.org. It's basic right now, but I'd love to add 365-day reading programs, Q&A, Bible history, etc, all for those who do not currently believe and/or are confused about what the Bible really says. Life in general is pretty pointless without a goal, and I'd truly love to share the Bible and what it means (no denominations, please) with the world in a non-threatening and non-confusing way. That's really all that matters in life.

Back to the point of my post, I'd appreciate hearing some genuine input on casino work. How is it different from bartending or even the insurance industry? So far, the only thing I can come up with is that you're paying for entertainment vs a particular product. There is the issue of gambling compulsively which I really do hate, but there's always the view that alcohol/caffeine is also addictive. In general, too much of anything worldly is a bad thing. You know, everything in moderation.

Thoughts? I even ran this by three separate pastors and haven't really received a straight answer...which leads me to believe I'm either missing something obvious or one doesn't exist...in other words, it's a gray area. :-/ I realize I can Google, but I'd rather hear in depth from the masses of real people who may frequent this board.

My conscience bothers me about this issue, but the consciences of other Christians I've spoken to have not always appeared to.

Thanks.
 

onemorequestion

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This is something that's really been on my mind since earlier this year when we moved and I was hired by a casino as a database marketing analyst. I've heard a lot of different viewpoints, primarily from Christians, and am having trouble sorting through it all.

The environment is friendly and pretty laid back. Benefits are alright. The work is interesting. I personally enjoy playing Blackjack for fun, but have never played at a casino. I spent $5 once in Vegas just for the experience, but it was pretty boring. Overall, the place seems clean and "fair" from a functional perspective.

I do have a pretty good understanding of the Bible and have been following a 365-day program to finally read the entire thing. I've learned a lot so far, even more than I thought I'd learn. I realize Jesus said to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. I've seen others post random Bible passages to fit their agendas, but was hoping to gain more insight into the prevailing view that working at a casino is wrong.

Through considerable self-examination over the past few years, I've really come to realize that my calling is to share the Gospel and help provide information to combat common misconceptions about the Bible. I've even worked off and on on a website at BibleGrow.org. It's basic right now, but I'd love to add 365-day reading programs, Q&A, Bible history, etc, all for those who do not currently believe and/or are confused about what the Bible really says. Life in general is pretty pointless without a goal, and I'd truly love to share the Bible and what it means (no denominations, please) with the world in a non-threatening and non-confusing way. That's really all that matters in life.

Back to the point of my post, I'd appreciate hearing some genuine input on casino work. How is it different from bartending or even the insurance industry? So far, the only thing I can come up with is that you're paying for entertainment vs a particular product. There is the issue of gambling compulsively which I really do hate, but there's always the view that alcohol/caffeine is also addictive. In general, too much of anything worldly is a bad thing. You know, everything in moderation.

Thoughts? I even ran this by three separate pastors and haven't really received a straight answer...which leads me to believe I'm either missing something obvious or one doesn't exist...in other words, it's a gray area. :-/ I realize I can Google, but I'd rather hear in depth from the masses of real people who may frequent this board.

My conscience bothers me about this issue, but the consciences of other Christians I've spoken to have not always appeared to.

Thanks.

From the people I know that have worked for Casino's, you'll be fine. Casino's demand honest employees. Stay on the path of the Christian life and be a good example to your bosses and co-workers.

And learn how to throw the dice.
 
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keith99

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Back to the point of my post, I'd appreciate hearing some genuine input on casino work. How is it different from bartending or even the insurance industry? So far, the only thing I can come up with is that you're paying for entertainment vs a particular product. There is the issue of gambling compulsively which I really do hate, but there's always the view that alcohol/caffeine is also addictive. In general, too much of anything worldly is a bad thing. You know, everything in moderation.

Thoughts? I even ran this by three separate pastors and haven't really received a straight answer...which leads me to believe I'm either missing something obvious or one doesn't exist...in other words, it's a gray area. :-/ I realize I can Google, but I'd rather hear in depth from the masses of real people who may frequent this board.

My conscience bothers me about this issue, but the consciences of other Christians I've spoken to have not always appeared to.

Thanks.

Well the casino industry is more honest thatn a lot of the insurance industry. I wroked for a company that made rating software. Long ago, when PCs were new, a 5 meg hard drive was big (yes meg, not gig) and a PC was $5000. In the course of that I saw just what the commision structure for agents was.

You will find agents try to sell you whole life policies, they go on and on about how it is so much better for you. But you will never get told that the commission for the first year of a whole life policy is often over 100%! Where term life has a commission of 1-3 percent.

Insurance agents often tell people what is best based on waht is best for the agents bottom line, not what actually serves the customer. I've found casino emmployees to be more honest. They will actually tell you which games have teh best percentages for the house. But more important casino employees are expected to work for the house and do not have the chance to mislead people nearly as much.



Bottom line, unless you suspect the casino is rigging games or engaging in unethical practices (like bargin room rates where only one or 2 are available, same kind of thnig any business can do). I see no problem with working in a casino.

Wait, for you I see a couple of advantages. An employeer in any business can be corrupt. For you I think casino work will keep yuor eyes open. Yuo will see signs you might miss elsewhere. The second is you desire to witness. I think a casino is a place many others would miss, yuo have unworked territory. I am not a believer, that should be said. But I think if yuo witness with a light and caring hand you can really help some people even from the way I see things and you will convert some who are willing.
 
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daveth

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So, what if a casino employee is honest? I don't see the point at all.
A brothel employee can be honest. A drug dealer can honest and sell to his clients good cocaine not mixed with sugar powder or other worthless stuff. A shop assistant in a shop that sells occult books and amulets can be honest.
As for witnessing... To witness to male prostitutes should I become a prostitute myself, a pimp or a client?
 
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Cephar

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Having a job is better than being an unemployed sloth.
It's better to sell inappropriate contentography than to be on wellfare.
It's better to advertise cigarettes than being dependent on your parents.
It's better to make landmines than to be an unemployed sloth
Landmine Victims - Photo Life @ haydur.com

I don't necessarily agree with that. Sometimes we are where we are for a reason.
 
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Mateo1041

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looks like you answered your own question

Correct. And that's why I'm posting to ensure it really is my conscience and not some other societal influence. The casino industry has had a rough past (gangsters, organized crime, etc), but is pretty honest now in days (at least where I work).
 
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Mateo1041

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The second is you desire to witness. I think a casino is a place many others would miss, yuo have unworked territory.

That's something else I neglected to mention. Unfortunately, I think too many denominations now in days are "holier than thou" or judgmental and do not truly witness and work alongside those who may struggle.
 
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The Nihilist

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You will find agents try to sell you whole life policies, they go on and on about how it is so much better for you. But you will never get told that the commission for the first year of a whole life policy is often over 100%! Where term life has a commission of 1-3 percent.

Insurance agents often tell people what is best based on waht is best for the agents bottom line, not what actually serves the customer.

Nonsense. Life insurance policies pay the agent 50-60% of the first year premium. Besides, whole life is better, if you can afford it. Only about 5% of term policies pay a death benefit, while 100% of whole life policies pay a death benefit.
 
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JustMeSee

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It all depends on your views on gambling, and your indirect involvement in it.

Most casino games are heavily slanted towards the house winning. The probability of winning is very low. I have been told that your best chance of winning is in Black Jack. I look it all as a form of entertainment. The money I spend is money that I am willing to lose. Some people see it different, and some of them get too wrapped up in it all.

Really, you need to judge for yourself whether this job is okay with you and God.

It is a job in a time when many people don't have one. There are jobs that I consider not to be very ethical, but you don't seem to have one of them.
 
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Brak

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If I get one vote...

I'm not too crazy about the idea. But that said, I don't know many details, and I know plenty of Christians remain in the workplace where they are at knowing there are gross injustices going on.

Here is the Scripture I would give:

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

The Bible doesn't say not to marry unbelievers--it says not to be YOKED to unbelievers. I assume your employment there is at-will. Are you prepared to get up and walk out if you are called on to do anything exploitative? Even if you are aren't directly doing it, but just "facilitating" it--you are partaking in it.
 
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keith99

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If I get one vote...

I'm not too crazy about the idea. But that said, I don't know many details, and I know plenty of Christians remain in the workplace where they are at knowing there are gross injustices going on.

Here is the Scripture I would give:

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

The Bible doesn't say not to marry unbelievers--it says not to be YOKED to unbelievers. I assume your employment there is at-will. Are you prepared to get up and walk out if you are called on to do anything exploitative? Even if you are aren't directly doing it, but just "facilitating" it--you are partaking in it.

You just might want to get a decent commentary and find out just what specific group and practices Paul was refering to in this letter.
 
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Brak

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Then I refer you to the thread in the GT forum "Is any scriptural truth plain enough not to need interpretation?". The Word of God says not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, and it cites the reasons why, and it applies equally well to this. If God meant to forbid marriage and only marriage, He would have said so in His book.
 
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Tropical Wilds

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If you are bothered by it, what we say for it won't matter. Just like if you aren't bothered by it, what those say against won't matter either. If I were you, rely on intuition and what you believe you should be doing. And I mean openly, honestly doing.

If it were me, if the casino was on the level and your job performance was legal and also above board, I would not have a problem working at a casino. I would rather work at the casino then not be able to afford to take care of my son, or go on welfare, or rely on somebody else to provide for me. If, however, they ask you to do anything illegal or you witness illegal acts or you think they rely on unethical practices, then it's time to move on.

Do people over-indulge by gambling, leading to personal ruin? Absolutely. But is that your responsibility? I don't think so... Having been to one casino (Mohegan Sun in CT), I know they take all sorts of steps to make sure you know how to stay within your means. And in the end, if somebody chooses to not do so, they have a problem and it's their responsibility to take the help that's offered. Honestly, if we expected everybody to be responsible for the bad choices others make, there would be no jobs any of us could morally hold. Do we say that the people who work retail are responsible for the people who spend money beyond what they have, ruin their credit and potentially their lives, risk their family's security? More Americans are destroyed on a daily basis by debt than gambling. Is that the retail employees fault? I remember when I worked in retail, there were times I'd take EBT (food stamps) for $100 for a cart full of junk food and garbage. Then those same people, who presumably are on the program because they can't afford to feed themselves, turn right around and in a seperate transaction buy $20 in alcohol, $40 in cigs, and spend another $40 at the lotto machine. I remember a woman who was over her EBT limit so she put back food, then turned around and bought a $20 scratch ticket. Is that my fault? Is it the fault of the cashier at the grocery store who sold the pack of beer to the guy who drank it all then got behind the wheel? Is it the gas station attendant's fault that people get lung cancer from buying tobacco products? Is the McDonalds clerk responsible for people getting fat? On a grander scale, I have a friend who's homeless, another who can't find reasonably priced housing, and I know of another who live in an apartment that is absolutely disgusting and they pay the same price for their place as I do for mine. Am I doing something wrong by having a reasonably priced apartment and preventing somebody else who may need or want it more from having it? Even when you do something like go on welfare, it divides out the money available for the whole of the recipents... Is it your fault that somebody gets less money because of your participation in the program?

You need to examine for yourself what you think is right. It's not up to any of us, nor could any of us begin to guess if it's a good fit for you.
 
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