The Sin of Gambling

The Sin of Gambling

Written by: Donnie Vick

Legalized Gambling

            The Supreme Court in 2018 ruled that states could legalize sports gambling. Since then, over half of the states in the Union have done so. By 2028, the legal gambling market is expected to exceed $140 billion (Bloomberg). Clearly, the legal sports gambling industry has quickly become big business. One can hardly watch a game or even check a score on one’s phone without seeing the latest odds or a gambling advertisement. Like many things in our society, just because something is legal does not make it moral. Its legalization further demonstrates the moral decline in our country.

Impact

Even though this activity has been legalized, our society still recognizes its terrible impact on our communities and homes. As many as 10 million Americans have a gambling addiction. Half of those who gamble compulsively commit crimes, and parents who gamble are more likely to commit domestic violence, including forms of child abuse (The  Recovery Village). Anytime a casino is built within a 50-mile radius of the casino, compulsive gambling and crime increase. Clearly, it is not just innocent fun, and gambling companies recognize that because they have to include a warning about problem gambling at the end of their ads.

What does the Bible say?

But what is the Biblical argument against gambling? Over the years, several arguments have been put forth, and unfortunately, not all of them are very good. It has been labeled as theft by consent or theft by deception. Perhaps those labels may fit in some cases, but not while doing online gambling or going to a casino and playing the slots. Sometimes it is argued that there is no authority for it. While we do need authority for everything we do (Col 3:17), this argument really does not get to the root of the problem.

The Pitfalls

The root of the problem is the root of all kinds of evil, the love of money (1 Tim 6:10). At the heart of gambling is greed. Jesus warned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Lk 12:15). Danker offers this rendering of Jesus’ warning: “guard against every form of greed” (pleonexia, BDAG). Of the many ways that greed manifests itself, perhaps gambling exemplifies covetousness best. How can one guard against the insatiable desire for more and more if one is gambling in any form? Covetousness ought not to be named among the saints, must be put to death, and will cause our exclusion from the kingdom of God (Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1 Cor 6:9-10).

Furthermore, gambling also fails to demonstrate love for God and one’s neighbor. The Greatest Commands, to love God and our neighbor, should serve as a filter for our activities (Mk 12:29-31). If one engages in gambling, how will that impact his love for God and his neighbor? First, the habit-forming nature of gambling places itself in the category of covetousness, which is idolatry (Col 3:5). Therefore, to gamble is to worship something other than one’s maker. Second, gamblers hurt others. As we have seen, those who gamble have an increased chance of hurting those they love dearest not only financially but physically as well. Thus, to gamble fails to love one’s neighbors. Furthermore, those who happen to win either directly or indirectly take from others. One person at the blackjack table may be using discretionary income, but others are probably spending their rent or their grocery money. So, those who gamble fail to practice the Golden Rule (Mt 7:12).

Arguments used to defend gambling 

Those who gamble offer several arguments in defense of their practice. A common but faulty argument is that gambling is just like being involved in the stock market. This common retort is painting with too broad of a brush. If one invests in the stock market for the long-term, he can reasonably expect to make money. Jesus encouraged this wise use of funds (Mt 25:27; Lk 16:1-10). But by definition, a gamble is “an opportunity with a negative expected return and a greater likelihood of losing money” (David Stein, Money for the Rest of Us, Kindle location 3130). One can undoubtedly purchase securities in a way that is gambling, and the Christian who is a steward of God’s resources will refrain from doing so (1 Cor 4:2). However, to compare stocks and bonds to lotto tickets and underdogs is comparing apples and oranges.

Some also look at gambling as just mere entertainment. They gamble for the thrill of it. Michael Jordan claimed that he did not need the money, and he did not, but he liked the competition. However, the problem with this is that thrill that people experience is the same rush of dopamine that the drug addict experiences. It leaves the gambler with a desire to experience that “high” again and again. This is why gamblers quickly become problem gamblers and addicts, and that is another reason why the Christian should avoid gaming. The Christian should not be “brought under the power of any” (1 Cor 6:12), and the so-called entertainment industry has mastered many souls.

The answer

Let us remember that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim 6:6). Those who desire to be rich through gambling will fall into “temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts” (1 Tim 6:9). Therefore when it comes to any form of gambling, whether it be a school raffle, a game at the fair, or wagering on ball games, the Christian will heed the advice of Solomon, “Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Pro 4:15).