The Dangers of Gambling
Gambling involves placing money or other material goods on an event whose outcome is determined by chance. This could be the roll of a dice, the spin of a roulette wheel or the results of a horse race. It can also include activities such as playing cards, lotteries or bingo that require some skill but still have a significant element of randomness.
Historically gambling has had a stigma attached to it but it has become more socially acceptable in recent times due to its commercialization and association with sport and cultural activities. This has enabled it to grow rapidly worldwide through marketing, sponsorship and advertising. The growth of gambling is also partly a result of it being more easily accessible to the general population through online casinos and mobile phone apps.
It is important to recognize when someone’s gambling begins to cause harm to themselves and others. The warning signs are spending more than they can afford, secretive behavior and an inability to stop gambling. The good news is that there are ways to address the problem. The first step is to set a budget and stick to it. This can be done by putting all the gambling money in one envelope each day, writing down the amount or using an app that keeps track of spending and winnings. Another good practice is to limit the number of times per week or month you gamble.
If you are having trouble limiting your spending, try talking to someone who will not judge you. This person could be a friend or a professional counselor. It is also helpful to reduce the risk factors that increase financial vulnerability by reducing credit card use, taking out loans or carrying large amounts of cash. It is also a good idea to find an alternative form of entertainment and a way to socialize that does not involve gambling.
Gambling causes harm in the form of financial stress, relationship breakdown, family violence, mental illness and suicide. The harms can endure through one’s lifetime and may pass from generation to generation. (1)
Gambling appeals to covetousness and greed, which is idolatry according to the Apostle Paul (Colossians 3:5). It is a skewed form of entertainment that glorifies luck and denies God’s sovereignty. It promotes superstition and denies the truth of Scripture, which states that we cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). The industry is built on a foundation of falsehood, making it difficult to resist temptation. It trades on people’s emotions and vulnerabilities to encourage them to believe that they are more likely to win than lose. It uses sophisticated marketing and rewards programs to foster a sense of status and specialness that appeals to basic human needs of belonging. It is a form of escapism and provides an addictive source of pleasure that changes the reward pathway in the brain. In fact, it produces a dopamine response similar to drugs. As such, it can be a dangerous addiction that should be treated as seriously as any other drug.
