Is gambling sinful?

[JohnB445]

I have only gambled very small amount of money $2, the excitement of the chance to win big was there, I wasn't really disappointed it was $2 not enough to buy a bag of chips these days. I figured i'm not lucky and moved on.

I can see how it can develop into a problem with people gambling excessive amounts of money, and they are devastated. But what about gambling such small amount of money it has no effect at all to the person who lost?

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business? Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?

 

[Delvianna]

Gambling in and of it self isn't a sin. It's a sin if you're using money that you need that needs to go else where (priorities). Like, if you have a family and you're short on cash, you aren't supposed to then go and spend money on gambling. Because you are required to take care of your family and their needs before anything else. Even if you don't have a family, your needs first still applies but I would say you're running a higher risk of God stepping in with corrections with a family due to the fact that family is supposed to be put first and he holds that to a higher standard.

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business? Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?

Not a legitimate business. Consider it like this, everything given to us was given to us by God. So essentially, all the money you have is given by God. Using some money for frivolous spending is fine if you can afford it, but using it as a business is not because of what you stated, it can destroy lives. You are gambling your life, your families life and if you have any kids, their life on a regular basis. Gambling has a massive higher probability to fail and like the saying goes, "the house always wins". God prefers people to do an honest work (like farming) and with the stakes being so high, I just can't see anything in scripture that would back up an idea that gambling as a business would be okay but I do see a lot of the contrary due to the priorities that God has already established.

 

[timf]

If your gambling losses accumulate at a rate of other entertainment such as what you would pay to see a two hour movie, it would seem to be under control. However, for a Christian one has to also consider how being seen to gamble might be harmful for a "weaker brother".

To work in the gambling industry would incur some of the guilt for exploiting the weak as well.

 

[com7fy8]

Tim and Delvianna have given you good things to pray about and be honest with God about these things they have shared. What I offer below is not meant to disagree with what they have said.

I have only gambled very small amount of money $2, the excitement of the chance to win big was there,

Ok, so it can look, here, like you are saying you would like to be rich. Beware >

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Timothy 6:9)

"be content with such things as you have" > in Hebrews 13:5.

I think now of this > maybe > perhaps > by being more or less interested in using money to get a lot of money, you could be cutting yourself short. You can do better to develop in your ability to do good things which money is not enough to get. So, I mean, by giving such attention to what money could do, you could be short-circuiting your attention from what God is able to do in you as a younger child of God who needs to mature more to discover and appreciate what God and His love in you can make you ***creative*** to do.

I wasn't really disappointed it was $2 not enough to buy a bag of chips these days.

You mention chips, which can be a weight gainer and a money user-upper And yes food can be a substitute for the satisfaction of learning how to relate in God's love with various people. So, yes you can discover doing with God what money and enjoyment of food can not do. However, God's word does say God "gives us richly all things to enjoy," in 1 Timothy 6:17. So, I do not mean you must not enjoy certain nice things and the money to get them; however - - - learning how to love, with Jesus and His example and word, is the most fulfilling education and adventure and accomplishment that there is.

I figured i'm not lucky and moved on.

How social is it? I suspect you do this by yourself. At least, get into some cheap-prize bingo, maybe. Even get some socially needy people together for some gaming which has no prize but that they are sharing with one another.

I can see how it can develop into a problem with people gambling excessive amounts of money, and they are devastated. But what about gambling such small amount of money it has no effect at all to the person who lost?

It depends. Our Apostle Paul says >

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:17)

If you are depending on it for excitement . . . this can mean you are under its power . . . including its power to affect where your attention is going. So, we need more prayer, with attention to God and God guiding our attention, then discovering.

If ones are isolating with things they like . . . Jesus wants us to get into how God has us loving >

"if you love those who love you, what reward have you?" (in Matthew 5:46)

The Bible says various things about how to relate with one another as God's children and how to relate with ones who are not God's children. You need to invest your time - - - your **attention** - - - in God's word, including about how to relate with one another as His family. And spend time with Jesus people who are good examples of this. Feed on their example, enjoy the chips

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business?

There is always risk in loving. But with God so creative we can create His good in spite of however others do us wrong . . . even using what anti-love people do - - - using their evil to bring about God's all-loving results. Have you read and fed on how God did this with Joseph? > this is in Genesis 37-50.

Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?

We could have quite a debate about this. You could say gambling ruins lives, and I could argue that farmers produce food which people abuse so they are overweight and dying of diabetes and heart attacks. But I rule in favor of what Delvianna and Tim have said > my argument might be clever . . . but not really relevant!!

Among other things > it can be the farmer has learned many skills and has been providing for his family and bringing up his children to have character and the right kind of work ethic and to know how to love and relate as family. There is much investment, so more than gaining money, in so laboring. I suspect that a gambling business might not be so useable, like farming can be. Where would your children be, what would they be learning??

You can grow in Jesus to discover what God can do with you. What you can think about now can evaporate as you mature with . . . us.

 

[RileyG]

I have only gambled very small amount of money $2, the excitement of the chance to win big was there, I wasn't really disappointed it was $2 not enough to buy a bag of chips these days. I figured i'm not lucky and moved on.

I can see how it can develop into a problem with people gambling excessive amounts of money, and they are devastated. But what about gambling such small amount of money it has no effect at all to the person who lost?

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business? Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?

In my opinion, not necessarily. But if it gets to the point where they spend too much money and can no longer support themselves and their families- it can be. It can also be an addiction.

 

[JuliiaW]

I have only gambled very small amount of money $2, the excitement of the chance to win big was there, I wasn't really disappointed it was $2 not enough to buy a bag of chips these days. I figured i'm not lucky and moved on.

I can see how it can develop into a problem with people gambling excessive amounts of money, and they are devastated. But what about gambling such small amount of money it has no effect at all to the person who lost?

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business? Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?

In general, it's not the easiest question to answer, because you can look at the situation from different sides. And with time, the gambling sphere changes and evolves, so that now you can play without using real money. I always keep an eye on the latest casino offers and promotions because I’m curious about how these platforms work. Some casinos, especially online ones, are licensed and regulated, offering various bonuses, free spins, and games in a controlled environment. While exploring these sites, I found a trusted source where I found info about casinos where you can try free spins without depositing money, a low-risk way to experience online gambling. You can check out more about these no-deposit bonuses. I think that may be a good idea for people who wants to play with no risk.

I don’t think the issue is the $2 itself. Many people try a small bet occasionally and walk away without any problems. The real concern is when gambling becomes a habit, starts pulling someone in, or turns into something they rely on for excitement or hope.
I don't gamble, well, I tried a few times, but it's not really for me. I don't have anything against people who play casino games, but as long as it doesn't cause problems.

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't believe games of chance or indeterminacy are inherently sinful but gambling itself can be sinful in many contexts. It's more about the logic behind much of gambling working against virtues of patience, thrift, and a rational appreciation of cause and effect. Gambling also is often part of extractive logic that seeks to profit off another person's time or money, and might be a sin against the greater commandment, to love our neighbor. So I think regulation of gambling is consistent with Christian social principles, whether one is Catholic or Protestant. A church bingo night is one thing, a slot machine is another, and the context matters in discernment.

 

[zippy2006]

I don't believe games of chance or indeterminacy are inherently sinful but gambling itself can be sinful in many contexts. It's more about the logic behind much of gambling working against virtues of patience, thrift, and a rational appreciation of cause and effect. Gambling also is often part of extractive logic that seeks to profit off another person's time or money, and might be a sin against the greater commandment, to love our neighbor. So I think regulation of gambling is consistent with Christian social principles, whether one is Catholic or Protestant. A church bingo night is one thing, a slot machine is another, and the context matters in discernment.

Yes, except that instead of "another person's time or money" I would say, "another person's loss." There is nothing wrong with profiting off another's time and money. More specifically, a gambling system seeks to profit off the general loss ("rake") created by the transferrence of wealth, and the greater the transferrence of wealth, the greater the profit created. This is immoral on the part of the "house" because it hopes for another's loss, and also because it destabilizes societies by destabilizing individuals and families (by subjecting them to enormous wealth volatility).

 

[FireDragon76]

Yes, except that instead of "another person's time or money" I would say, "another person's loss." There is nothing wrong with profiting off another's time and money. More specifically, a gambling system seeks to profit off the general loss ("rake") created by the transferrence of wealth, and the greater the transferrence of wealth, the greater the profit created. This is immoral on the part of the "house" because it hopes for another's loss, and also because it destabilizes societies by destabilizing individuals and families (by subjecting them to enormous wealth volatility).

I don't think it's just about money though. Gambling logic is infiltrating alot of society. Some forms of media addiction are fueled by extractive logic, in fact those mechanics are built into the media ecosystems or services offered. Freemium games and certain game mechanics, for instance, are often offered for free, but the real idea is that they make money off advertising or "whales" that spend exorbitant money on the products. Everybody else pays in time or personal data being extracted. Something similar happens with social media, people can spend alot of time engaged with platforms that are about getting people highly engaged with outrage or sensational content that conveys very little information, when what's really happening is a relational/spiritual toll is paid in the process.

 

[bèlla]

The "chance to win big" is the problem. How could you possibly think that way in light of the technology that exists? You have a better chance at losing than not because it's easier to rig. The possibility is what reels them in. Now that it's being embedded in sporting programs and other mediums you may want to reconsider your involvement.

~bella

 

[zippy2006]

Gambling logic is infiltrating alot of society. Some forms of media addiction are fueled by extractive logic...

I think you would first need to define what you mean by "gambling logic" and "extractive logic," and then explain how gambling logic is a species of extractive logic.

 

[FireDragon76]

I think you would first need to define what you mean by "gambling logic" and "extractive logic," and then explain how gambling logic is a species of extractive logic.

Gambling logic, like random reinforcement. "Loot boxes" in many popular video games, for instance, are a form of this. You don't know what is in the box until you open it, then you get a random reward or prize, usually something nearly worthless. Usually, people can pay actual money to buy more loot boxes if desired, besides the randomly allocated ones in the game to foster engagement.

Also, at one time video and computer games were developed around a sense of coherent artistic expression - a theme or narrative, now often times the theme may be more of a superficial vibe superimposed over a series of game loops. It's about a game as a kind of imaginative representation of a world, vs. a game as an engagement device.

 

[zippy2006]

Gambling logic, like random reinforcement. "Loot boxes" in many popular video games, for instance, are a form of this. You don't know what is in the box until you open it, then you get a random reward or prize, usually something nearly worthless. Usually, people can pay actual money to buy more loot boxes if desired, besides the randomly allocated ones in the game to foster engagement.

Okay right, but I see that as a statistical model, not gambling. If you like, it is a very mild form of speculation. "That coin on the ground is probably only a fifty-cent piece, but I will bend down and pick it up because there is a low probability that it is a silver dollar." The reason this is not yet gambling is because gambling requires wagering something of value. The time or effort it takes to click your mouse in a video game is not really a "gamble." Gambling requires more than a simple statistical reality.

Presumably what you are talking about is a way of incentivizing people to do X, such that every time they do X they have a small chance of effecting a highly positive outcome, Y. The is exactly the sort of logic that is used when placing a bounty on a criminal, in order to catch the needle-in-a-haystack person by incentivizing lots of people to channel their attention towards a particular outcome.

So I would say that a critique of freemium models is not really a critique of gambling, and this is important because I think our culture has a legitimate problem with the legitimate logic of gambling. Sports betting, for example, has become legal online and outside of Vegas in a way that was never possible before. Polymarket is another example of the growing gambling culture.

 

[mayersdylaan45]

I have only gambled very small amount of money $2, the excitement of the chance to win big was there, I wasn't really disappointed it was $2 not enough to buy a bag of chips these days. I figured i'm not lucky and moved on.

I can see how it can develop into a problem with people gambling excessive amounts of money, and they are devastated. But what about gambling such small amount of money it has no effect at all to the person who lost?

Could a Christian also ever be involved in the gambling business? Although some people move on, for others it destroys lives and they wished they never gambled. or is gambling seen as a legitimate business just like farmers?


I think moderation is probably the key part of the discussion. A lot of people treat gambling as entertainment and set strict limits, while others struggle once emotions and chasing losses get involved. That’s also why regulated Ontario online casinos and online casino reviews have become more important recently, because people want to know which platforms are transparent and promote responsible gambling instead of just pushing endless bonuses. I’ve seen a lot of discussions about safety and player protection on https://oncasinos.ca/, especially when comparing different online casinos in Ontario and how they handle withdrawals, limits, and responsible gaming tools.

I think the biggest issue is probably intention and self control. For some people spending a couple dollars for entertainment is no different than paying for a movie ticket or a game, but for others it can become addictive really fast and start affecting their finances and family life. That’s why gambling gets debated so much, especially from a religious perspective. I don’t think small casual gambling automatically makes someone a bad person, but it’s easy to see why people are cautious about it when so many others lose control. The business side is complicated too because even if it’s legal and regulated, casinos still profit from people losing money in the end.

 

[Tuur]

Something that doesn’t seem addressed thus far is that gambling is a practice where someone has to lose for someone to win. That sets it apart from a mutually beneficial transaction where both get something out of the deal.

 

[iHarken]

Anyone who says gambling is not necessarily a sin, fails to understand the nature of the root. Is it technically a sin in the sense that the word explicitly says it is, no, but that’s not what makes gambling sinful. It is sinful because it is rooted in covetousness. Gambling is contingent on wanting more, being unsatisfied, & failing to trust in the Lord.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gambling also violates stewardship. The Lord provides everything you have, to throw away the increase God has given you on chance, is the opposite of being a faithful steward.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Listen to no man that does not call out sin for what it is. Which virtues does gambling increase? I can think of none - then it must be a vice. Even earthly wisdom understands such things, “A fool & his money are soon parted.” Do not be the fool.

 

[Tuur]

Unfortunately, gambling is no more covetous than seeking gain from a financial investment or a business undertaking. All gain can have covetousness at the heart, so it’s not solely limited to gambling. As to stewardship, at what point does a business investment become so risky that it’s poor stewardship?

Maybe more to the point is the manner of gain. A business transaction based on questionable morals could be lucrative, but even if legal is it something a Christian should be involved in?

If your state has a lottery, notice the ones buying tickets. I’ve heard it’s much the same with dog and horse racing. Just observe. Then know that they are paying money to the winner for nothing more than a scrap of paper that isn’t worth anything. Then ask if they received goods or services through their expenditure.