Question on gambling

[Zhivko]

Hello everyone!

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling - I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do? If I win, are the money blessed?

 

[Southernscotty]

Hello everyone!

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling - I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do?

Welcome to CF friend and I would be very careful there. Lot's of people have thought one innocent little game will not hurt me, and are now hopelessly lost in addiction. Be wise and be careful.

 

[Zhivko]

I am not worried I will get addicted, because I can control myself. I am worried that if I win, the money will not be blessed. Is that so?

 

[Southernscotty]

I am not worried I will get addicted, because I can control myself. I am worried that if I win, the money will not be blessed. Is that so?

Many other people have thought that they "could control" themselves as well but got hooked on the high it causes. Satan likes to use this emotional roller coaster on people.
Do you really want blessed money?? Tithe what you can to a ministry of helps somewhere. God will bless it my friend :]

 

[Doug Melven]

Proverbs 13:11 ESV
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Whether or not you can control the gambling urge is not the issue here.
Look at statistics of those who win the lottery. Not long after they get all that money they are backe where they were.
Gambling to get money is not God's way.
Bless others and you will be blessed.
Give and it shall be given unto you. Luke 6:38

 

[st831]

Hello everyone!

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling - I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do? If I win, are the money blessed?

Things are neither good or bad. It is how we use them. This form of gambling can be nothing more than entertainment. What worries me about your post is that you are seeking other's approval to do this. In my experience, when someone does this...it is because they know it is wrong for them. By mentioning that you use to have a problem with gambling, God may have told you to stay away from it for your own safety. You already do not have peace about it--which is why you brought it to the forum. So I say stay away from it.

 

[st831]

I am not worried I will get addicted, because I can control myself. I am worried that if I win, the money will not be blessed. Is that so?

that's what an addict might say...

 

[HypnoToad]

I wouldn't say "should", I would say "can".

A Christian CAN gamble if they choose to, assuming it's not an addiction, and they're not gambling with money they need to feed the kids, pay the mortgage, for example.

Gambling is just a form of entertainment. Spending disposable income on gambling is essentially no different than spending disposable income on going to the movies.

For you, personally, I can't say. You claim it's no longer an addiction, but we here have no idea if that is actually the case. An alcoholic, for example, is usually an alcoholic for life. Just because they've been sober a few years doesn't suddenly make it a good idea for them to go have a beer. In the same sense, how can we know this gambling won't cause additional problems? I would imagine it's usually best to stay away from past addictions, whether you think you've overcome them or not.

 

[com7fy8]

What should I do?

pray

And first be satisfied by God so you are not depending on games for satisfaction and excitement. Part of our greatest Christian challenge is to learn how to love; this can be extremely interesting and dynamic and educational . . . to find out how God has us loving each and every person.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

Hello everyone!

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling - I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do? If I win, are the money blessed?

the way you are approaching it is for fun and entertainment. If you win that would be cool but odds are very tough. Have fun and I hope you do not lose on some crazy controversial play that will haunt you forever.

 

[dreadnought]

Hello everyone!

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling - I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do? If I win, are the money blessed?

I don't think the Lord wants us to gamble.

 

[Dave-W]

I don't think the Lord wants us to gamble.

Chapter and verse?

 

[dreadnought]

Chapter and verse?

There's no chapter and verse about putting one's hand on a hot stove, but I avoid doing it anyway.

 

[trunks2k]

I want to play a game on a gambling website. The game is this: you have to guess all soccer matches from the world cup in Russia this year and if you do, you can win a big prize. The game requires to make a bet on a sport event - I will bet on the lowest coefficient just to participate in the game. The game is a lot of fun and I want to participate in it, because I want to win the big prize. I don't have a problem with gambling

At this point I would say it's fine. Spending a few bucks to for the entertainment value of it is, IMO, little to no different than spending a few dollars for the entertainment value of going to see a movie.

But then we get to this:

- I used to have but I overcome it. I am worried that some christians say it is wrong to gamble, because if you win it is because others people loose and you profit from the loss of the others. But all people that play are not forced to do so. And all players agree with the terms and conditions. I really want to play this game but I really don't want to commit a sin either. What should I do? If I win, are the money blessed?

That would be a red flag for me. In what way do you know you overcame your gambling problem? Have you gambled at a reasonable level recently and kept yourself under control? If so, why are you asking about the morality of it now? Is this something you just failed to think about or take seriously previously?

Regardless of the case, you either have not gambled, in which case I would be extremely cautious about gambling again given your own history or you are considering the moral position and the fact that you are asking about it makes me think you do in fact have moral qualms about it and are looking for justification. In that case, listen to your gut.