Is Gambling Wrong?

Let me begin by sharing with you some important facts about gambling in America today found on a search of Bing. As I did my research for this topic I was amazed at the things I learned about gambling in America today. Here are a few of the things I learned from online sources.

Gambling is indeed one of the fastest-growing industries in America.

The U.S. gambling industry generated approximately $71.92 billion in revenue in 2024, with casino slots and tables games accounting for a significant portion of this revenue.

Sports betting has surged, with Americans placing over $220 billion in sports wagers, reflecting a significant growth trend in the industry. Only about 3% of gamblers are successful in the long run, meaning the vast majority end up losing money. Gambling addiction leads to significant financial problems, including massive debts and financial ruin. Compulsive gambling causes mental health problems and severely damages personal relationships, causing mistrust and emotional strain within families, higher divorce rates, and social isolation due to the shifting priorities from loved ones to gambling.

Raffles are considered a form of gambling in many jurisdictions. This classification arises because raffles involve the sale of tickets, which require payment, and the selection of winners is based on chance. In the U.S., raffles are regulated at both federal and state levels, and they can be heavily regulated or even prohibited in some states.

Raffles often require nonprofits to obtain a license or permit to operate legally, and they must comply with specific rules to avoid being classified as gambling.

I am sure that some would be very glad to hear that there is no scripture in the entire Bible that says, “Thou shall not gamble. Sadly for some this is the only criteria they will use for doing or not doing something. Imagine the wide range of activities available to us if we are to apply this principle for all of our lives. The Bible is not a book of insignificant rules, instead it is a book of grand principles. God did not need to set down innumerable laws or rules for you and I because he knew that the principles He gave us would be enough to guide the lives of those who wanted to serve Him and please Him.

Some people like to justify gambling by saying that gambling is just taking a risk and people take risks every day. You have probably heard this idea expressed this way, “All life is a gamble.” I just want you to know today this is a very false and shaking foundation. Gambling is not the same thing as taking a risk. The farmer who plants his seed in the ground is taking a risk but he is not gambling. When you get in your car and drive away from church today you are taking a risk but you are not gambling. Most of what we do day in and day out involves a risk of some kind but that in no way implies that we are all gambling every day. Here is what you need to know. The definition of gambling is this: the activity of playing games of chance for money, or betting on the outcome of future events such as the results of races or games:

GAMBLING CONTRADICTS GOD’S HONESTY PRINCIPLE.

Gambling is taking from another person what does not belong to you. The fact that someone willingly participates in an action that is wrong does not make that activity right. When two people who are married agree to involve themselves in an illicit sexual relationship that we call an affair, their mutual consent to the act does not therefore make it right. An affair is adultery by consent, but it is still wrong. The fact that a group of people are willing to bet, take a chance on winning an item. What is right about that according to God’s word? NOTHING!

Proverbs 11:1NIV

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

Listen to what the Bible says in Romans 13:7-9-NIV

7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Now some might want to say, “Well I didn’t force them gamble so it’s not my fault that they lost their money.” It that what love says?

In my dad’s lesson he wrote “If one is able to secure his neighbors possessions by means of skill or chance is that just the loser’s tough luck? Such an attitude makes havoc with thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”