Is gambling a sin?

The Bible does not specifically condemn games of chance, gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible, however, warns us against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Wisdom avoids shortcuts to prosperity: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time” (Proverbs 13:11, NLT). We are to work hard and earn a living (2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 14:23). Most gambling is motivated by a love of money. People place bets in hopes of quick, easy riches. Materialism is at the root of gambling.

The Bible mentions events of “luck” or “chance” in contexts other than gambling or betting. For example, casting lots was God’s prescribed method of choosing between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8). Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes, and the results were accepted as God’s will (Joshua 18:10). Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1). The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas (Acts 1:26). Each of these occasions proved the truth of Proverbs 16:33, which says, “The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” None of these instances of casting lots has to do with betting or the transfer of goods. The apostles’ casting lots in Acts 1 is no justification for playing craps in Vegas.

One infamous scene of gambling occurred at the foot of Jesus’ cross. Scripture makes note of the Roman soldiers’ callous game of chance: “After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice” (Matthew 27:35, NLT). This was materialism at its most brazen—they occupied themselves with a little piece of this world as they turned their backs on the one who offered them heaven.

Gambling, by nature, takes advantage of the misfortune of others. In order for one person to win, someone else—usually multiple others—must lose. For a Christian to risk money in the off chance that he will gain even more is foolish. But actively seeking financial gain from someone else’s loss is beyond foolish; it is unethical.

Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness and a decreased ability to make good decisions. Everything in a casino is designed to appeal to materialistic desires. Even in games that require some skill and do not rely solely on luck, the gambler seeks to profit from others' misfortune and plays into a rigged system. The aim of a casino is to take money in large sums and give little in return.

Sports betting is becoming more popular—and more accessible—by the day. Some argue in its defence, saying that sports betting is harmless entertainment. Some say that betting on a team, especially if it’s a fantasy team, requires some research and skill to be successful. Critics point out that gambling of any kind can lead to addiction. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 5 million Americans can be classified as compulsive gamblers (www.addictionhelp.com/gambling/statistics, accessed 5/20/25). Critics point out that sports betting can easily harm the integrity of the sport when players are bribed to shave points or throw a game. So, there are several ethical and moral concerns with sports betting.

State and national lotteries are another form of gambling. Lotteries tempt people with the possibility of quick riches and are marketed as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, it seems that those the lottery is supposed to help are actually being hurt. A recent study found that U.S. households in the lowest income bracket spend 13 per cent of their annual income on lottery tickets, while the highest earners spend just 1 per cent (Bankrate survey, October 2019). So, those who can least afford to spend money on lottery tickets are often the ones buying them. With the chances of winning the lottery infinitesimal, the system preys on the poor.

First Timothy 6:10 provides Wisdom that directly relates to gambling: “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.” Greed is equated with idolatry in Colossians 3:5. Those who gamble cannot follow the admonition of Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” Serving God and serving money are incompatible (Matthew 6:24).

Does the Bible forbid a friendly wager between two players going head-to-head on a tennis court? What about paying a dime into the kitty for a bingo card? Entering a raffle? Filling out a March Madness bracket in the office pool? The answer is no, the Bible does not explicitly forbid these things. When it comes to any kind of betting, followers of Jesus should exercise discernment in examining their motives, their testimony, and their responsibility to steward their resources wisely. I usually do not participate in activities such as bingo, raffles, or similar events.