I saw that someone found our forum after looking for the phrase "is gambling a sin" in MSN and it did make me curious about the question. Is there anything in the Bible about gambling being a sin or being sinful? I don't recall anything from the Ten Commandments on the subject, but I'm not well-versed in the Bible anyway. But if anyone can point to some scripture indicating that gambling is sinful, I'd be interested in seeing it.

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Randy

Why is it the Bible that determines what is a sin. Not all of us are Christians. The Koran sites "games of chance" as promoting "the festering of spirit and will."

I'm an enthusiastic agnostic meaning that I'm not sure if there's a god but if there is that would be great. I'm certainly no expert on the Bible, but I was raised as a Christian. I don't think gambling is a sin unless it's done to excess because if something is done to excess then inevitably someone gets hurt. Alot of people out there gamble and have fun doing it. That's it for them. It's just a good time like spending money on a movie or a ballgame. No difference for those people. Some people develop addictions to gambling not unlike addictions to alcohol or other drugs. These people are hurting themselves and others in their lives. That sounds like a sin to me. Is wine inherently bad. Is wine a sin? We know that wine drinking went on in the Bible. Was it a sin? Depends on the person drinking the wine.

Nice topic. I did a little research, and here's what I found:

Christianity- While gambling in not specifically mentioned in the Bible, it is commonly believed that the practice is frowned upon. Gambling is viewed as a way of practicing dishonesty. It is a form of taking what does not rightfully belong to a person. Along with gambling frequently goes cheating, and both are forms of dishonesty. Paul states, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" Ephesians 4:28.

Although the word "gambling" does not appear in the Bible, the practice is clearly condemned in numerous passages of scripture. Gambling is based on the evil desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. The Bible calls this sin "covetousness" and makes it clear that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Romans 1:28-32).

Judaism - Gambling is not mentioned in the Torah, nor in any of the Jewish scriptures. (Although there are things that are decided by the casting of lots; for example Haman decided on Purim day by lots.) In the later legal literature, there is some ambiguity about gambling. The only thing that is sure is that a professional gambler -- one who has no profession other than gambling -- is not to be trusted as a witness in court.

Buddhism - The following passage is taken from a Buddhist text:
"There are, young householder, these six evil consequences in indulging in gambling:- the winner begets hate, - the loser grieves for lost wealth, - loss of wealth, - his word is not relied upon in a court of law, - he is despised by his friends and associates, - he is not sought after for matrimony; for people would say he is a gambler and is not fit to look after a wife."

Hinduism - The following is taken from a Hindu text:
"Do not take to gambling, even if you can win,
for your wins will be like the baited hooks that fish swallow.
To win once, a gambler loses a hundred times.
What a way to procure happiness and prosperity!
Incessantly calling bets on rolling dice causes
a man's rich reserves and potential revenues to run elsewhere.

Gambling brings on many miseries and erodes one's good name.
Nothing else ends in such wretched poverty.
Desiring to win everything, those who love the dice,
the gambling hall and their lucky hand lose it all.
Gambling is Misfortune's other name. Fools ensnared by her
will suffer an empty stomach and distressing sorrows."

Islam - According to the Muslim religion, as documented in the Koran, Muslims are not permitted to take part in any form of gambling. The Koran cites that destiny is predetermined by Allah and cannot be affected by chance. Games of chance, it continues, draw men away from Allah because the gamblers begin to believe in luck, and distance themselves from God.

Here's a quote from the Koran:
"O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.
Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?"


It looks as though all the major religions in the world frown on gambling, if not out and out condemn it. Is gambling a sin? I'd say the world religious leaders would unanimously agree that it is.

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"You gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs

Looks like it's time for me to give up gambling.

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Nah. Just kidding.

Great topic, though. I'm sure churches want members of the congregation to have something left at the end of the week to put in the collection plate.

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"Pro Football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors." Frank Gifford