The Christian and Gambling

1.   Gambling is sinful, even though it may be LEGAL.

      a.   The following are legal activities in all or some states: abortion; assisted suicide; sale of tobacco & alcohol in all 50 states; sale and use of marijuana; prostitution.

      b.   Also, raffles are illegal in Alabama (Birmingham News, 9-24-99, 1A). Therefore, schools and churches not only encourage folks to break God’s law, but the laws of the state as well.

2.   Gambling is sinful, even if it is for a “GOOD CAUSE.”

      a.   If schools are a good cause, then increase property or sales taxes.

      b.   Romans 3:8 some accused Paul of teaching, “Let us do evil, that good may come.” Paul labeled the report as slanderous. It is never right to do wrong! Would it be acceptable for the state to set up brothels to raise money for education? If not, why not?

3.   Gambling should be opposed b/c of its adverse affect on SOCIETY:

      a.   It is ADDITIVE: 1 Corinthians 6:12; 9:27 (the following facts from http://www.ncalg.org/nmcag/topics1.htm)

            i.   A 1997 Harvard study estimate that 10% of adolescents are gambling addicts, more than twice the 3.8% rate for adults. Gambling is the fastest growing addiction among teens.

            ii.  A 1996 study by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, surveying almost 4,000 students in five local high schools revealed:

                  (1) 87 % of teens gambled for money at some time.

                  (2) 32% of teens under 18 had played the lottery. (18 = legal age)

                  (3) 14 % of problem gamblers placed bets on school grounds on a daily basis; another 12 % did so on a weekly basis. 20% of these gamblers bet more than $200 at one time.

                  (4) In 1993, police broke up a betting ring at Daniel Hand High School in Madison CT after one student told police he had lost $20,000 to a 17-year-old student bookie.

                  (5) Teens commit credit card fraud, theft, drug running, and prostitution to support their gambling habits.

            iii. 1997 survey of 3300 Indiana Jr High & High schoolers:

                  (1) 90% had gambled at least once, with 11.2 % described as problem gamblers % 7.5% as pathological gamblers.

                  (2) of those, 64.7% had played the lottery; 52.3% had played cards for money, and 48.4% bet on sports.

            iv. Texas - 70% of gamblers seeking professional help cite the lottery as their main source of gambling difficulty = #1 on the list.

            v.   2% of all New Mexico lottery revenues are set aside to fund programs for problem gamblers.

            vi. More money is spent annually on gambling in the US than on spectator sports, movies & music, video games, and theme parks COMBINED - over $50 billion in 1998 alone.

            vii.   1 Peter 2:12

      b.   It contributes to CRIME.

            i.   Crime is 84% higher in casino towns than those without

            ii.  Nevada has the largest rate of incarceration in the nation, with 40% of those in jail from states other than Nevada.

            iii. The following statistics are for crime Hancock Co, MS in the six months after gambling was legalized compared to the six months before: Stolen vehicles- up 188%; Assaults- up 185%; Burglaries- up 100%; Theft- up 218%; Child molestation- up 353%; Vandalism- up 190%; Suicide- up 900%

      c.   It contributes to POVERTY and BANKRUPTCY:

            i.   The number of New Mexico households living below the poverty line jumped 25% the first 2 years after casinos were introduced, but gambling promoters deny any correlation.

            ii.  Bankruptcies 18% higher in counties w/ the lottery than those without, and 23% higher in counties with casinos

      d.   It contributes to SUICIDE- In Nevada, suicide rates of visitors is 155% above the US average, and the suicide rate of residents is 60% above average.

      e.   It preys upon those who can least afford it:

            i.   GA, lottery ticket purchases average $250 per person annually in areas where the average household income is less than $20,000, but areas w/ household incomes of $40,000+ spent only $97 per person.

            ii.  Households with less than $10,000 annual income spend 3 times the amount on the lottery as households making over $50,000. Households with incomes less than $10,000 buy more lottery tickets than any other group.

            iii. In Kentucky, 79% of lottery ticket purchases are in areas with an average household income of less than $21,000.

            iv. An investigation of lottery advertising practices revealed greatly increased advertising during the week government checks were issued (welfare, Social Security, etc.).

            v.   The Illinois lottery placed a billboard in a Chicago slum with a picture of a lottery ticket with this message: “This could be your ticket out.”

            vi. New York lottery ad: “All you need is a dollar and a dream.” Also, in NY, ad expenses rose 11% while sales declined 10%.

4.   Gambling is sinful because it adversely affects our THINKING:

      a.   About GOD

            i.   Deuteronomy 8:18

            ii.  Matthew 6:25-34

      b.   About our FELLOW MAN

            i.   Luke 10:25-37 the good Samaritan

            ii.  Philippians 2:3

      c.   About OURSELVES – 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

5.   Investing in the Stock Market is not gambling:

      a.   All risk is not the equivalent of gambling:

            i.   Farming is a risk, but not gambling

            ii.  Starting a business is a risk, but not gambling

            iii. Working in a coal mine is a risk, but not gambling:

      b.   What’s the difference?

            i.   Investing is buying part ownership in a company that is large enough to “go public.” Investors can expect a return on their investment.

            ii.  Investors provide money for people to succeed, including the creation of wealth and jobs. Gambling requires thousands, even millions, of people to lose in order for one (or very few) to win.

6.   Gambling is sinful because it violates:

      a.   The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12. Gambling says, ‘I hope you lose so I can have what is yours without working or paying for it.’

      b.   God’s laws prohibiting covetousness

            i.   Luke 3:14; Philippians 4:11

            ii.  Colossians 3:5

      c.   Galatians 5:19-21 prohibition of the works of the flesh

      d.   Romans 12:17- provide things honest in the sight of all men- gambling is the #1 source of revenue for organized crime.

      e.   Galatians 6:10- let us do good unto all men

      f.   Luke 12:42; 1 Peter 4:10- good stewardship

      g.   1 Peter 2:21 the perfect example of Jesus Christ

      h.   Every God-approved means of obtaining money:

            i.   Working- Matt 10:1-10; 1 Cor 9:14; 1 Tim 5:18; Eph 4:28

            ii.  Selling of goods- 2 Kings 4:7; Acts 5:4

            iii. Inheritance- Luke 15 prodigal son

            iv. Interest on investment – Matthew 25:27

            v.   Free will gift w/o thought of gain in return- Acts 2:45

5 Reasons to Vote Against Don Siegelman on November 5

1. Mississippi voted to legalize a lottery, but got casinos without a vote.

2. Nationwide, 1 in 5 adolescents are problem gamblers (National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June, 1999 p. 4-12)

3. The false hope of easy money subverts the traditional work ethic.

4. You are 6 times more likely to get stuck by lightning than to win the lottery (Alabama Family Alliance 1999)

5. Lotteries hurt the people they claim to help the most- the poor.

GAMBLING HAS MANY DEFENDERS, BUT NO DEFENSE!