Is Gambling Inherently Evil?

A simple internet search demonstrates that nearly two thirds of Americans gamble and less than one third of Americans consider gambling morally unacceptable.

Do rampant gambling and acceptance of gambling reflect a morally enlightened society? Or are these things evidence of evil prevailing and becoming socially acceptable?

Why do online and in person gambling venues give away free opportunities to make money? Do they do so out of benevolence? Or do they do this for the same basic reason that a drug dealer would give free drugs to new customers? Gambling venues and lottery systems know that the odds are very heavily in their favor. They know that the vast majority of people who participate in their games will lose money. The studies on gambling prove this.

Though there are other reasons gambling is evil, Romans 1:31 cites “without understanding” as an expression of mankind’s wickedness in its rebellion against the true God. This is a reference to lacking discernment in a blameworthy way. We ought to know that gambling is foolish. That is not something someone needs a formal education to discern.

To say that gambling is not a moral issue is discounting Biblical truth. The Bible speaks a lot about money. It talks a lot about what our attitude towards money should be. It gives a lot of instructions about how money should be used and how it should not be used.

The concept of “responsible gambling” is also a delusion. Whatever money one might actually be able to afford to gamble away is money that they can afford to give away to people in need. The Bible has many commands related to that.

Many do gamble out of covetousness because they see gambling as a way to get rich quickly. Attempts to get rich quickly are inherently covetous and foolish.

Proverbs 28:22 says: “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”

Is all gambling supporting an industry which deceives people and does indeed destroy many lives?

Everyone participating in the gambling industry is doing evil. Often the money which people lose gambling is money that they cannot afford to lose. They literally cannot pay their bills without it. Even though they are not innocent, those running the gambling industry which exploit them are doing even worse. Gambling accomplishes nothing that is truly good. No one profits from it who is not knowingly harming others and/or winning at the expense of others who are being exploited and harmed.

Many gamblers do indeed become addicts. Many do commit crime to support their gambling addiction. Some even end themselves because of gambling debt and other destructive consequences related to gambling. The vast increase of gambling is indeed evidence of evil prevailing and becoming socially acceptable.

Proverbs 15:16: “Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.”

Don’t be foolish. Playing the lottery, sports betting, and all games of chance where one wagers money to attempt to obtain money are evil.

Someone might say that they don’t gamble as an attempt to get rich. They might claim they only do it for the momentary fun and excitement. If that’s the case, it is still evil due to the support of the gambling industry and the neglect to do good with the money being gambled away. Pursuing momentary pleasure for pleasure’s sake is also a form of idolatry which fosters servitude to one’s impulses and feelings. The possibilities of the destructive deeds and habits this might easily lead to are vast.

Gambling is never worth it nor is it ever morally good or morally neutral.