Gambling

Message / Question

Whats wrong with Gambling? Is it wrong to visit casinos? Is investing in shares gambling? Is it wrong to invest in companies that do things that are sinful?

Response

The subject of gambling is very complex and is something that can certainly divide Christians. It is made more complex by the reality that the issue of gambling is not specifically and clearly addressed in Scripture.

Some argue that gambling is like drinking alcoholic beverages – if it is done in moderation, it is harmless – it may be seen by some as a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil, as long as it does not become controlling or addicting. People waste money on all sorts of activities – attending sporting events, or the cinema, and gambling is no different – it is simply a recreational pursuit from which a person may pleasure or satisfaction.

The Bible does tell us that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.(1Tim 6:10)” and tells us to “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Heb 13:5). If the attraction of gambling is the chance to gain wealth and the motivation is the love of money, then it would be easy to say that it contravenes Scripture and is thus sinful. But many would argue that the attraction of gambling is not an addiction to money, rather it is simply a recreational pursuit that may or may not result in gaining something.

The issue is further complicated by the concept of “investing” in the stock market. The question is how is stock market trading truly different in practice, attraction and motivation to gambling? If buying shares puts a person in “partnership” with the other shareholders (i.e. you have bought a share of the company rather than buying a lottery ticket), then how does that stand up in the light of Scripture that teaches us not to be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers?

I suggest that it is such a complex issue that I would be inclined to say that it becomes a matter of personal conscience, it’s between you and God. Having said that however, the caveat is the problem of addiction – when gambling becomes a habit that you can’t break, then it is an addiction and that is clearly an issue that can and must be addressed in the individual’s life.