Indiana, a mainly conservative Midwestern state where my wife and I have lived for more than half a lifetime, has legalized just about every form of gambling that could be made legal. The most recent is “sports betting,” legalized by a bill passed by the majority of state legislators, mostly Republican. On Sept. 1, 2019, at the Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, it was signed by the governor, who cast the very first legal sports wager in our state. His rationale was that modernizing Indiana’s gaming law would stimulate the state’s economic growth, creating jobs and attracting industry. This in spite of the fact that states that have expanded legal gaming have experienced more undesirable results.
The National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion says gambling is a moral issue. Consider, they say, that gambling not only causes addiction but increases bankruptcy, crime, suicide, and divorce; damages the economy; cannibalizes jobs; and corrupts politics. These conclusions are based upon credible studies in states where various forms of gambling have been legalized. (National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, www.ncalg.org)
It is demonstrably a moral issue; it is a spiritual and biblical issue. The wise word from Solomon’s pen states that “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house, but he that hateth gifts shall live.” (Provs.15:27) Paul reinforces that ancient wisdom in I Tim. 6:9,10: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
The files of Gamblers Anonymous, as reported in U.S. News and World Report, corroborates these scriptural admonitions: One man said, “Once I was hooked, any wager would do. I would give odds on how many cars would pass over a bridge in the space of ten minutes.” Another victim testified: “I stole vacation money from the family sugar jar. I spent every waking hour thinking about how to get to the track.” Still another: “When I was at the blackjack table, my wife could have been home dying of cancer, and I could have cared less.” Ronald P. said: “I degraded myself in every way possible. I embezzled from my own company. I conned my six-year-old out of his allowance.” And, Archie K. wrote: “After I woke up from an appendectomy, I sneaked out of the hospital, cashed a bogus check and headed for my bookie. I was still bleeding from the operation.”
No wonder the strong warnings in God’s Word: “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye and considereth not that poverty shall come to him.” (Provs. 28:22)
“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor; he coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.” (Provs. 21:25,26)
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” (Provs. 13:11)
“Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Provs. 23:4,5)
James Dobson, in a Focus on the Family newsletter, once cited the U.S. Bureau of the Census Statistical Abstract when he said, “Did you know that Americans gamble more money each year than they spend on groceries?” Or that one in five homeless people admitted that gambling contributed to their poverty; yet 37% of them said that they continue to gamble. Or that 75% of pathological gamblers admitted that they had committed at least one felony to support their habit?
Yet 48 states have legalized some form of gambling, even as crime rates soar. In the city of Indianapolis, host to all kinds of conventions and gatherings, including the 2024 NBA All-
Star game, one or more murders are reported almost nightly; in 2023 there were a total of 216 homicides.
It is so deceitful, the lure of instant fortune. A math professor pointed out that the chances of winning the California lotto jackpot are about one in 18 million. If you have to drive 10 miles to buy this ticket, you are three times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident on the way to win the jackpot. Or, he continued, if you stood all the losers of this lottery in a line, it would be 6,800 miles long, more than the distance from Manhattan to Tokyo. Or, if you bought 50 tickets per week, you ought to win once every 6,923 years. So, you should be due to win any day now—if you started about 5,000 B.C.
No believer should be engaged in any form of gambling activity; no state will better itself economically, socially, or morally by legalizing gambling. Shame on the Indiana legislative body that has endorsed this moral blight in our Hoosier state.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Provs. 14:34)
YOU and GOD 