Gambling and Christianity

The new President of the NSW Council of Churches in Australia, the Revd Richard Quadrio, has welcomed the release of the long-awaited Productivity Commission Report into Gambling, and called on federal and state governments to implement all recommendations.

The Report indicated that Australia had about 600,000 regular gamblers, of whom approximately 95,000 were “problem gamblers.” The social cost of problem gambling in Australia was estimated at $4.7 billion per year, and problem gambling directly affected up to 350,000 people each year.

“Every Report recommendation that is implemented will help to reduce the intolerable burden of problem gambling in our communities. We want to see action to limit the size and speed of poker machine bets in the short term, and phasing in of additional reforms as soon as possible in consultation with industry and community groups,” NSW Council of Churches President Revd Quadrio said.

“The fact that clubs and pubs are pleased with the government’s initial response to the Report is not necessarily a good sign. The government needs to give a clear indication that it is not captive to the gambling industry by setting out a comprehensive reform process well before the next election,” Revd Quadrio said.

In March 2008 the NSW Council of Churches called on state and federal governments to develop sustainable alternative sources of state revenue, reduce the prevalence of gambling in our communities, and support those for whom gambling is a problem.

The Council of Churches also recommended the implementation of reasonable measures to discourage advertising and sponsorship of gambling.


Back here in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak said his government had dropped a proposal to legalise sports betting amid protests by groups who fear it will create more social ills.

The uproar over sports betting erupted after Ascot Sports, a company controlled by influential tycoon Vincent Tan, said in May it had been granted a licence to offer odds for the hugely popular English Premier League season.

The government denied such a licence had been issued and said that it was still reviewing its decision as Muslim groups, opposition leaders and even members of the ruling government coalition opposed the new licence.

"I hereby wish to announce that the government has decided that the licence will not be issued," Najib told state media late Friday.

"Although there were groups who supported as well those who did not support or opposed the decision, it was clear to the government that a majority of the people did not agree that the licence be issued to Ascot Sports," he added.

Opposition political parties said Thursday they were planning a mass street protest next month against the proposal.

"We have too many social problems -- drug addiction, free sex and baby dumping," Kamarulzaman Mohamad, youth secretary of the conservative Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) told AFP.

"Sports betting will add to our problems as most youths watch football. They will be influenced to borrow money," he added.

Party officials told AFP Saturday they have yet to decide whether the demonstration will be cancelled following Najib's announcement.

Malaysia bans its majority Muslims from gambling but allows betting at a casino operated by the Genting Group, on the national lottery and on horse-racing.

Surprisingly, the Bible contains no specific command to avoid gambling. However, the Bible does contain timeless principles for living a life pleasing to God and is filled with wisdom to deal with every situation, including gambling.

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

"No servant can serve two masters. [Jesus said.] Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13, NIV)

For 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. (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)

Gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard:

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4, NIV)

One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure. Gamblers may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lord’s work or to save it for an emergency, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player.

Gamblers covet more money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment:

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV)

Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million U.S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million are problem gamblers. This addiction can destroy the stability of the family, lead to job loss, and cause a person to lose control of their life:

…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. (2 Peter 2:19)

Some argue that gambling is nothing more than entertainment, no more immoral than going to a movie or concert. People who attend movies or concerts expect only entertainment in return, however, not money. They are not tempted to keep spending until they "break even."

Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope. Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we are constantly reminded that our hope is in God alone, not money, power, or position:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5, NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV)