₦airaland Forum

The Bible does not specifically condemn games of chance, gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Wisdom avoids short cuts 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 with the hope of quick and 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:. 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 have 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 to actively seek financial benefit 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 those games that require a certain amount of skill and do not rely solely on luck, the gambler is seeking to benefit from the misfortune of others and playing 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 defense, 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). And critics point out that sports betting can easily harm the integrity of the sport in question, 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 showed that U.S. households in the lowest income bracket spend 13 percent of their annual household income on lottery tickets; in contrast, the highest earners spend just 1 percent of their income on the lottery (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 being infinitesimal, the whole system preys upon 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 betting of any kind, followers of Jesus should use discernment in examining their motives, their testimony, and their responsibility to steward their resources wisely.

Without the bible saying anything gambling is a terrible sin, its takes you 5000 years back

Gamblers are worshipers of Fortuna goddess of good luck!

This life itself is a gamble.

MaxInDHouse:
Gamblers are worshipers of Fortuna goddess of good luck!

Just as farmers are worshippers Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest, i presume? What one won't read on this platform.

All this mental gymnastics without a single direct proof of the Bible being against gambling. The Bible talks against usury directly, which banks do. But these religious folks would never condemn that. You know why? Well, many bankers are rich and support "the work of the lord". Religious people are hilarious in their hypocrisy. The same way they go on summesaulting voyages to say drinking alcohol is a sin. Lolz.

MaxInDHouse:
Gamblers are worshipers of Fortuna goddess of good luck!

Is this not mother marry statues 🤣

Nackzy:
Without the bible saying anything gambling is a terrible sin, its takes you 5000 years back

Yes. That is very true. Gambling is the shortest and quickest route to poverty and misery. It takes you 5000 years backwards. I have been there. I can relate to what you are saying

MaxInDHouse:
Gamblers are worshipers of Fortuna goddess of good luck!

Really!!!! I have never thought of it this way. So there is a deity in charge of gambling

TokoEkambi:
Just as farmers are worshippers Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and harvest, i presume? What one won't read on this platform.

Sorry the Bible God instructed Adam the first man to go into agriculture {Genesis 2:15} so it's the work God gave humans not some goddess!🙂

miracle002:
Really!!!! I have never thought of it this way. So there is a deity in charge of gambling

YES, Fortuna!

TokoEkambi:
All this mental gymnastics without a single direct proof of the Bible being against gambling. The Bible talks against usury directly, which banks do. But these religious folks would never condemn that. You know why? Well, many bankers are rich and support "the work of the lord". Religious people are hilarious in their hypocrisy. The same way they go on summesaulting voyages to say drinking alcohol is a sin. Lolz.

It is known that Banks is in the sin of stealing of which they were the ones who caused armed robberies to be done and insecurity so that people were forced bring their monies to them. That was why in those days people even said that they would not allow their children to be bankers. Churches then used to reject their "support".

But unfortunately they are protected by the same bandits called govt.

However, gambling is based on stealiing and unlawful gain that is why it is a sin

No religion forbids gambling as explicitly as Islam.

Life itself is a gamble, risky

It's left to you to know which gamble to go for.

Crypto currency lately is not different from gambling, but people still trade it

Gambling is haram because Allah has forbidden it, and He rules as He wills. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, al-Ansab [sacrifices for idols, etc.] and al-Azlam [arrows for seeking luck or decision] are an abomination of Shaytan’s handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drink) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from al-salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?” [al-Maidah Quran 5:90-91]

Question answered perfectly

Make I just dey read people's comment

But;


Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two small fish

How?

That's 5 loaves of bread staked onover 250 odds

Gambling is a sin and then investing is not a sin.

The same thing but different words.

When poor people do it, it is called gambling when rich people do it, it is called investing.

It is just a class thing.

Just wanna know,is there a difference between sport gambling and forex trading,since both are games of eventuality

Let gamblers breath


Gambling is one of the ways people make money each an everyday


Don't drag religion into it.




It's a form of investment and wise investors are cashing out steady

Technically, yes and no

Fortune telling is not permitted which gambling sort of falla under

But in the bible, casting lots was done which is also a form of gambling

miracle002:
The Bible does not specifically condemn games of chance, gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Wisdom avoids short cuts 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 with the hope of quick and 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:. 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 have 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 to actively seek financial benefit 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 those games that require a certain amount of skill and do not rely solely on luck, the gambler is seeking to benefit from the misfortune of others and playing 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 defense, 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). And critics point out that sports betting can easily harm the integrity of the sport in question, 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 showed that U.S. households in the lowest income bracket spend 13 percent of their annual household income on lottery tickets; in contrast, the highest earners spend just 1 percent of their income on the lottery (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 being infinitesimal, the whole system preys upon 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 betting of any kind, followers of Jesus should use discernment in examining their motives, their testimony, and their responsibility to steward their resources wisely.

What does bible say about david who took someone's wife?
What does bible say about Jacob who tricked his brother?

tiswell:
Let gamblers breath


Gambling is one of the ways people make money each an everyday


Don't drag religion into it

Religion without any historical or scientific proof.

Based on hearsay

Nobody needs the Bible to tell him that gambling is an unforgivable sin against humanity.

Nackzy:
Without the bible saying anything gambling is a terrible sin, its takes you 5000 years back

How is a sin then if bible and no other book prohibits it?

AntiChristian:
No religion forbids gambling as explicitly as Islam.

Carry ya b@dluck komot here.

Mercury12:
How is a sin then if bible and no other book prohibits it?

Anything not morally right is a sin.

jiggyman:
What does bible say about david who took someone's wife?
What does bible say about Jacob who tricked his brother?

They both got punishment.
The first child the woman David took illegally died.
Jacob had a tough life.

So someone who analyzes past football records, checks current form, checks featured players to see which ones are starting b4 placing a bet is a gambler.

The other person does technical and fundamental analysis before placing a trade and is called a trader.

What's the difference between these two trades? Cuz I see no difference. They both make analysis before commiting.

They are both taking same risk.

It's better to leave religion out of legitimate business/ investment ventures else you're just exposing your hypocrisy.

Kingluqman:
Make I just dey read people's comment

But;


Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two small fish

How?

That's 5 loaves of bread staked onover 250 odds

Miracle is different from gambling. Why not talk about other miracles of Jesus how it related to ur logic of gambling.

Talk about another sin, the one wey u dey commit, leave gamble alone.

If gambling is a sin then our sins started from conception.

300m+ sperm racing for one egg knowing all the competitors will kpai... No gamble is greater than that one.

Whatever involves 2 possible outcome is a gamble, which makes life a gamble.

Kingluqman:
Make I just dey read people's comment

But;


Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two small fish

How?

That's 5 loaves of bread staked onover 250 odds

This is real funny
But how you take think go that side my bro