Is gambling a sin?

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TonyChanYT

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:

28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Titus 1:

8 But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
 

Randy Kluth

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:


Titus 1:


Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
Even lottery tickets can be, under the right conditions, a way of contributing to your state's debt problem. Some states have used the lottery to pay down its debts.

Gambling is a worldly form of entertainment. I don't get upset with Christian friends who visit a casino and entertain themselves on the chance they will win some money. If they do this regularly, I think they are becoming too much like the world. But we do live in the world and must not become so insulated from the world that we no longer experience discourse with them.

I completely agree with you that gambling, for the most part, is pure foolishness. I've been in places and have witnessed what it means for a head of household to enter a place where they've gambled away their family's entire monthly income. It's a dangerous addiction for some.

I've probably made some who used to go to our church mad because I referred to them, indirectly, as "casino Christians." Yes, it was a term of contempt because they had taken members of our church out on a "Christian outing," and led the group to visit a casino. I don't believe that was appropriate.
 
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Ziggy

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When I was in my 20's... ancient history lol,
I used to go to Bingo 3-4 times a week spending 40-50 dollars a night in the hopes of winning a $5 game.
It was more the getting out and being with people then it was the game, I told myself.
But after awhile the family began to suffer. I wasn't home enough for my daughter who was in school, and I worked all day, even on weekends.
Eventually I had to make a choice, family or self.
Quitting bingo wasn't easy. I did go through mild withdrawal symptoms. Pouting, feeling self-deprived.
But I had more money in the bank account.

I think some gambling for the appropriate reasons, maybe just socializing, or taking a break from the week grind, is ok.
But when it becomes an obsession and the more important things like family and paying bills and specially your relationship with God begins to suffer,
then it's time to hang it up and get back to the grass roots.

That's my experience and my opinion.
Hugs
 

Lambano

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Only if you lose.
On my only trip to Vegas, I won a $25 jackpot on the quarter slot machines pretty quickly - and that was probably the worst thing that could have happened, because it made me want to gamble more and more in search of bigger jackpots. Until my luck and my money ran out.

I don't even buy lottery tickets anymore.
 
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lforrest

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Proverbs 10 about ill-gotten gains?
 

The Learner

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:


Titus 1:


Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
10 Bible Verses About The Love of Money


1. 1 Timothy 6:9-11, NKJV

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

2. Luke 16:13-15, NLT

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.”


3. Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV

Whoever loves money never has enough;

whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

This too is meaningless.”

4. Hebrews 13:5, AMPC

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.”

5. 2 Peter 2:14-15, ESV

“They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,”

6. 1 Timothy 3:2-3, NLT

“So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.”

7. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, NKJV

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

8. Matthew 6:24, ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”

9. Mark 4:18-19, NIV

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

10. Mark 10:23-27, NLT

The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler

“Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

 
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Bob

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Thank you for the penetrating question.

So, is it a sin to entertain yourself when you could be doing good and helping those in need?

Here is what Jesus had to say (Matthew 25):

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what isyours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

….​

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand,‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Blessings.
 
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Butrawade

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I was reading a thread on ChristianityBoard where someone asked if gambling is a sin. The answers were all over the place - some people said it’s harmless fun if you keep it under control, others felt it definitely crosses a line because it feeds greed and takes focus away from faith. A few shared stories about how betting started small and then became a real problem. It’s interesting how personal experiences shape everyone’s take on it. Out of curiosity, I checked out https://thepоkies.net.nz/ - a site all about pokies and online games. Seeing how easy it is to jump into gambling online kind of puts that whole debate into perspective.
 
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Reggie Belafonte

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Gambling is stupid ! stupid is as stupid does. !

Why would anyone Gamble ? such must be stupid !

Go ask one who runs a Casino, how could you build such a big place like so ? well It was Built on Loosers ! you can be sure.

Gamabling ? as in business, one could say being The owner of say in some type of Business venture ? is seen as a gamble or sorts maybe, Now am I going to be payed ? you can do all of the correct things and still loose totaly or not make anything or loose somewhat ?
So one may ask why did I get into this Business, where I can work and Loose ! I must be stupid ! but that's the nature of the Game.
If you point out how pathetic that such is to all other's in the same Trade game, they will not bother to listen regardless ?
So It's like they want to be poor ? or are totaly happy as in regards that most will become poor and a few will become rich.

But if I were on a wage I will only Win Win regardless ? and have more wealth as you retire than most who entered into a Business say ? because they can go broke.
You can not go broke on a wage unless one is a total idiot fool !

I have a mate who spends $600 a week at the Clubs and has done so for years ! he says that what he has lost from when he was sacked by the Government. that he could of bought a Home in fact ! that's $600,000. but he could not care less as that will not stop him, because he loves doing such. as that is his life ! He is as tight as they come, does not own a Car and lived with mummy his whole life. but only has $2 million in Super.
His brother has never worked in his life and had to buy an brand New car for he had to much money.

Or is Life a gamble ? As one lives in a Nation that you inherited the fruits of all who helped build such !
Some work to undermine such an inheritance and some work to build ? some have it all so easy and some do it hard.

But what is Gambling in it's real state ? It's opportunist ? and truly a totaly ignorance mentality ? Like one say, will take advantage of anything with no regard ? is that what it boils down to ? Just like a thief in fact !

So then look at say a Builder that is going bankrupt ? what does he do ! He tryed to destroy all who deals or works for him in fact !
They do not get payed in fact ! but The Game is that he could start up the next day with a new Buisness and still have his own great wealth ! and He is a Hero !

What System ? is that Gambling !
Who is truly in control of the Nation ! Is it a 5yo mentality ? or a Nation of jerks !

I will say that Gambling is totaly Wrong ! because it's Stupid ! and a work of the Devil ! because all such should be despised and stamped out ! for the good of all ! because no one could say that such is truly of good at all !

It's clearly criminal intent ! It's not a Virtue at all in fact, so it's in regards Evil ! and they who suport all such are clearly fools !
Not to mention Casinos are clearly built and run by Criminals and the Governments are within the swill of it all getting their % out of all such ill gotten nonsense.
 

Jesussaves150

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Considering the severe damage it has done in countless peoples lives from suicide to going without food and shelter especially those with children I would stay away from it.Buying a lottery ticket now and again is alright it must be done carefully with out causing damage which many find difficult to do - it is a known addiction for some people.
 

The Learner

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Gambling is stupid ! stupid is as stupid does. !

Why would anyone Gamble ? such must be stupid !

Go ask one who runs a Casino, how could you build such a big place like so ? well It was Built on Loosers ! you can be sure.

Gamabling ? as in business, one could say being The owner of say in some type of Business venture ? is seen as a gamble or sorts maybe, Now am I going to be payed ? you can do all of the correct things and still loose totaly or not make anything or loose somewhat ?
So one may ask why did I get into this Business, where I can work and Loose ! I must be stupid ! but that's the nature of the Game.
If you point out how pathetic that such is to all other's in the same Trade game, they will not bother to listen regardless ?
So It's like they want to be poor ? or are totaly happy as in regards that most will become poor and a few will become rich.

But if I were on a wage I will only Win Win regardless ? and have more wealth as you retire than most who entered into a Business say ? because they can go broke.
You can not go broke on a wage unless one is a total idiot fool !

I have a mate who spends $600 a week at the Clubs and has done so for years ! he says that what he has lost from when he was sacked by the Government. that he could of bought a Home in fact ! that's $600,000. but he could not care less as that will not stop him, because he loves doing such. as that is his life ! He is as tight as they come, does not own a Car and lived with mummy his whole life. but only has $2 million in Super.
His brother has never worked in his life and had to buy an brand New car for he had to much money.

Or is Life a gamble ? As one lives in a Nation that you inherited the fruits of all who helped build such !
Some work to undermine such an inheritance and some work to build ? some have it all so easy and some do it hard.

But what is Gambling in it's real state ? It's opportunist ? and truly a totaly ignorance mentality ? Like one say, will take advantage of anything with no regard ? is that what it boils down to ? Just like a thief in fact !

So then look at say a Builder that is going bankrupt ? what does he do ! He tryed to destroy all who deals or works for him in fact !
They do not get payed in fact ! but The Game is that he could start up the next day with a new Buisness and still have his own great wealth ! and He is a Hero !

What System ? is that Gambling !
Who is truly in control of the Nation ! Is it a 5yo mentality ? or a Nation of jerks !

I will say that Gambling is totaly Wrong ! because it's Stupid ! and a work of the Devil ! because all such should be despised and stamped out ! for the good of all ! because no one could say that such is truly of good at all !

It's clearly criminal intent ! It's not a Virtue at all in fact, so it's in regards Evil ! and they who suport all such are clearly fools !
Not to mention Casinos are clearly built and run by Criminals and the Governments are within the swill of it all getting their % out of all such ill gotten nonsense.
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join25715

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The Pokies is an online casino that offers a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. As a player at The Pokies, I appreciate the user-friendly interface and high-quality graphics that enhance my gaming experience. Additionally, the site boasts generous welcome bonuses and promotions that add value to my gameplay








That’s a really thoughtful topic. From a Christian perspective, gambling can be troubling — because it often tempts greed, reliance on chance, and risk that harms others. But not all gambling is the same; if it’s done in moderation and doesn’t lead to addiction or neglect, some people argue it’s not inherently sinful. Discipline, stewardship, and caring for those you love matter most. On a totally different note, I stumbled across Make sure Access the New and Improved ThePokies115 Casino Platform, Designed with Australians in Mind recently — their clean, well-structured layout reminded me how order and responsibility help in any part of life, even when weighing moral choices like this.
Thanks for information!
 
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