Religion and Gambling
From what I can see - Islam, the Bahai Faith, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism forbid gambling while Judaism, Hinduism, and most Christian sects simply discourage casino gambling. I cannot find much information about Zoroastrian teachings about gambling but I think it is either discouraged or prohibited. If anyone has insights from other religions or from specific sects/branches, I would be interested in hearing them.
From my own religious knowledge, I know that Judaism does not prohibit giving money to charitable lotteries because the participants will be happy even if they lose. Otherwise Judaism looks down on gambling, though interestingly we play the gambling game Dreidel on Hanukkah and it seems like we used to play a Blackjack-like game.
No, seriously... Roman Catholicism has no problem with betting (or drinking) unless it becomes a harmful act to yourself or anyone else. Makes few demands. I would assume the Church of England has the same position being betting is a perfectly respectable activity in the UK. Same for traditional Chinese religion and they probably invented gambling along with paper money. Evangelical Protestantism does object to it for reasons peculiar to its history in Great Britain and the US and... yeah I'm not going to go any further with that, that's going to upset someone. But that rubric encompasses only a small minority of Christians globally. I'm not aware of any mainstream sects that object to betting in itself, rather than the harms associated with it.
There is the same thing with alcohol, with a glaring failure of scriptural confirmation for the oft asserted Protestant doctrine of abstinence. Especially with Jesus turning water into wine
I can’t remember if I heard the priests ever talk about going to Vegas or having fun with a wager. But clearly not banned. Moderation of course encouraged.
But you can reference Matthew 25:14-30 and Hebrews 13:5 not going to expound further but trying to keep in the boundaries of this thread.
I think I can say those two illustrate how it is hard to find scripture that condemns wagering outright. The Matthew parable could be said to be an endorsement of capitalism, with the most praised servant taking risks it would seemQuote: avianrandyAs far as I know,their is no commandment thou shalt not gamble
But you can reference Matthew 25:14-30 and Hebrews 13:5 not going to expound further but trying to keep in the boundaries of this thread.
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I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
Our own FrGamble would have said gambling in moderation and for entertainment purposes was not a sin.
Quote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Next card knowledge is a stronger play.
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Could he count them? Of course.
Would he count cards? I don't believe so.
Quote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Could he count them? Of course.
Would he count cards? I don't believe so.
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“Give to Caesar’s Palace what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's"
Quote: rxwineQuote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Could he count them? Of course.
Would he count cards? I don't believe so.
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“Give to Caesar’s Palace what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's"
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Are you saying God would charge a resort fee??
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: rxwineQuote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Could he count them? Of course.
Would he count cards? I don't believe so.
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“Give to Caesar’s Palace what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's"
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Are you saying God would charge a resort fee??
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He does offer (ETA: advertise some of) the best amenities…
Quote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Executions were big-time entertainment. Hangings in the South and West used to attract thousands of spectators. I imagne they did in other regions as well.
When legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen was hanged in Damascus in 1965, almost 100,000 people turned out for it.
Quote: rxwineQuote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: billryanIn a Catholic HS, we were told that gambling isn't wrong unless it reaches the level where you are neglecting your responsibilities. A $5 bet on a horse is okay, unless losing it means your kids don't eat. I don't remember the exact phrase but taking advantage of people and unfair wagers could be sins, while a non-addicted person making a bet they can afford to lose is okay but it is a distraction from our mission- to spread the word of Christ to those who don't yet know him.
I don't think Jesus would have been one for long weekends in Vegas, but I think he'd have been in the office NCAA pool.
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Are you trying to say Jesus Christ couldn’t count cards??
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Could he count them? Of course.
Would he count cards? I don't believe so.
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“Give to Caesar’s Palace what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's"
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Now wait a minute, no need for blasphemy. Jesus would not go to Caesar's Palace.
He would walk right across the fountain to the Bellagio.
Quote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
Interesting place. The archbishop has a satellite residence there, so it is also a bishopric. As a Catholic schoolboy it caused great disappointment to learn that in that word the stress is on the second syllable, instead of the way we wanted to pronounce it.
There is also a small monastery there, with just a few brothers. Now that church is very busy on Sunday, getaway day for most visitors, and the people who come for Mass often have cheques from various casinos around town that they neglected to cash in, and those often end up in the collection basket. And the brothers at the monastery have the job of sorting those cheques and running them around town to be cashed in. They are known as the...
Quote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
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In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
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In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
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I've never understood this. Jesus was arrested right after Passover, so I doubt he was wearing his best outfit. Then he was imprisoned, flogged 39 times, and made to walk the streets hauling a giant cross. Between the sweat and the blood, why would soldiers want his clothing?
Quote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
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In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
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I've never understood this. Jesus was arrested right after Passover, so I doubt he was wearing his best outfit. Then he was imprisoned, flogged 39 times, and made to walk the streets hauling a giant cross. Between the sweat and the blood, why would soldiers want his clothing?
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He was given fancy clothing, "worthy of a king" as he was "King of the Jews." IIRC it was just a purple outfit, purple being a color of royalty. It was to further humiliate him.
I seriously wish Fr. Gamble was here to verify this and correct if needed. I am going from memory in like 5th grade.
Quote: AZDuffmanQuote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
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In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
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This seems to match what I was taught.
My question is along the lines of "if someone else's belongings were being awarded as spoils, would they have done it differently?"
Basically, I contend he was getting ordinary treatment in this regard, rather than some special consideration.
Quote: billryanQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
link to original post
Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
link to original post
In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
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I've never understood this. Jesus was arrested right after Passover, so I doubt he was wearing his best outfit. Then he was imprisoned, flogged 39 times, and made to walk the streets hauling a giant cross. Between the sweat and the blood, why would soldiers want his clothing?
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Cloth of any kind was valued at that time as weaving was skilled labor requiring specialized equipment. So common people all saved, traded, and repurposed rags. That is why they were willing to tear up most of the clothing as its only value would be rag value, but the regal robe he was given had great value but only intact.
It would be a great devotional story to write, what became of that soldier who won the lot and was walking around wearing the robe of Jesus.
Quote: DieterQuote: AZDuffmanQuote: DieterQuote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
link to original post
Why not?
Was the usual and customary practice otherwise?
link to original post
In this case they were throwing dice for his colorful outfit. They threw the dice instead of ripping it into pieces.
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This seems to match what I was taught.
My question is along the lines of "if someone else's belongings were being awarded as spoils, would they have done it differently?"
Basically, I contend he was getting ordinary treatment in this regard, rather than some special consideration.
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I am pretty sure he got far worse treatment than a common criminal. Of course, I am sure there was some embellishment by the nuns on how it all went down. Hollywood as well. But lots was not, either.
I don't know what they were actually doing, cuz I wasn't there.Quote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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But let me ask you this, do you understand the difference between gambling and drawing straws? Throwing Lots doesn't necessarily mean they are gambling, it might mean they are just just trying to choose something randomly without any wager involved. That's not gambling.
Gambling is a sin. I think there are plenty of Proverbs that would indicate so.
If you're asking the question in the first place or even had to think about it, it's probably a sin.
Quote: AxelWolfI don't know what they were actually doing, cuz I wasn't there.Quote: NathanPeople gambled right in front of Jesus during his crucifixion , the audacious audacity! 😱 😳 Imagine you're being executed and people are having fun gambling during your execution! 😱😳
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But let me ask you this, do you understand the difference between gambling and drawing straws? Throwing Lots doesn't necessarily mean they are gambling, it might mean they are just just trying to choose something randomly without any wager involved. That's not gambling.
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In this case they did place a wager: the share of the garment that they were each entitled to as confiscated spoils of their police action. They could have cut it up, but its value would have been greatly diminished. So they all made a +EV bet by leaving it intact and wagering their share on a lot. Similar to if they had sold the intact garment and divided the proceeds, but that would have required time and trust.
I have to go back and look, I'm probably not going to, but didn't he kind of change his tune at the end? Perhaps not on the gambling issue in and of itself, but it wasn't one of the reasons he left the Forum, because he was advised that participating on a gambling forum was not a good idea?Quote: WizardI have studied the bible carefully about this and there is no verse that directly addresses gambling. Randomizing using lots was a method used often to settle a problem. Conservative protestants will invariably be against gambling but that seems to be out of church tradition as opposed to based in scripture.
Our own FrGamble would have said gambling in moderation and for entertainment purposes was not a sin.
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Quote: AxelWolfI have to go back and look but I'm probably not going to, but didn't he kind of change his tune at the end? Perhaps not on the gambling issue in and of itself but it wasn't one of the reasons he left the Forum because he was advised participating on a gambling forum was not a good idea?Quote: WizardI have studied the bible carefully about this and there is no verse that directly addresses gambling. Randomizing using lots was a method used often to settle a problem. Conservative protestants will invariably be against gambling but that seems to be out of church tradition as opposed to based in scripture.
Our own FrGamble would have said gambling in moderation and for entertainment purposes was not a sin.
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Yeah, I thought he got more advisement that it wasn't the best "hobby" for a priest but not specifically that it was wrong. I don't think he would be sitting at the blackjack table with his priest collar on, but who knows.
Divination, sacrifice, fortune, ritual, superstition, hope, faith, community, trance/altered states of consciousness, and the promise of salvation can be seen as elements of gambling, at least for some people. Maybe I am thinking too deeply about it.
Quote: billryanPeople who pray in casinos tend to mean it, unlike the sheeple at church.
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Warning: This is offensive religious speech that insults people who attend church. Do this again and there will be a consequence.
Specifically why western gaming companies can't break into the Chinese market. And I think it's a tradition and mindset thing
Here are some random musings :
There are many cultural distinctions between east and west, but one that’s always fascinated me is how texture is the most important element of food in Chinese cuisine; more so than taste (as in the West) or presentation (as in Japan). I think this same principle applies to game design. In Double Happiness, my Chinese-themed slot, I put huge focus on the feel of the symbols – that sense of chunkiness, solidity, tactile satisfaction. I want players to feel like they're handling something real and meaningful.
The name itself is lifted directly from the I Ching, both to anchor it in a symbolically rich tradition and to acknowledge the culturally embedded belief systems around fate and fortune. In my reading of Confucian thought, though it's been a while, there’s a homely, family-focused, sometimes superstitious grounding. Many of the elements I’ve chosen in Double Happiness draw on that: symbols of luck, prosperity, harmony.
But perhaps the biggest difference between Chinese and Western players is that for many Chinese users, gambling is illicit. Whether they’re playing from Macau, cruise ships, or VPNs, there’s already a transgressive edge. And from what Chinese friends have told me, the concept of "luck" in Chinese is often closer to “fate” : luck isn’t random, it’s shaped by divine forces, patterns, and sometimes, merit. This leads to a preference for long shots and high-variance play, with a psychological frame that’s more about rebellion than recreation.
It struck me, especially from a Jungian lens, that gambling for some Chinese players might be a ritualised embrace of the “shadow” : an intentional breaking from order, duty, and family. That’s a very different emotional payload to a UK or European player.
If there are any Chinese players on the forums I would super love to know your thinking
Quote: harrisAfter thinking about it a bit, I think that gambling can be classified as a sort of religious experience and fulfills similar roles to religion in modern society.
From a neurological perspective there is a great deal of truth to this. Both trigger dopamine and the brain's reward system (REF-1, REF-2). There have even been studies looking at the correlation between the two (REF-3).
Quote: AutomaticMonkeyHas anyone been to the Guardian Angel Cathedral on the Strip? It's just north of the Encore.
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I have. It looks very 70's, both inside and out. Once I lost a friendly bet to FrGamble and had to go there and donate a dollar or two to light a candle. There is a post here about it here somewhere.
Trivia time! Where is the only 24-hour adoration shrine in Las Vegas?
Quote: WizardQuote: AutomaticMonkeyHas anyone been to the Guardian Angel Cathedral on the Strip? It's just north of the Encore.
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I have. It looks very 70's, both inside and out. Once I lost a friendly bet to FrGamble and had to go there and donate a dollar or two to light a candle. There is a post here about it here somewhere.
Trivia time! Where is the only 24-hour adoration shrine in Las Vegas?
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I'm going to take a wild guess...
Quote: AutomaticMonkey
I'm going to take a wild guess...Is it in the Summerlin area, and would one's prayers be said in Sanskrit there?
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No. It is in a Catholic church. I would say by definition.
Can't really think of a place in town where a church could be open overnight and not get trashed.
I think that fortunate tellers reading tarot cards is a perfect example of the intersection between gambling and spirituality. It's 2am here so I don't feel like elaborating further
Quote: AxelWolfI swear, back in the '90s there was a church on the strip that had 2 video poker machines in the lobby.
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legendary if true
It might have been a marriage chapel, IIRC it was down by like the Luxor and Mandalay Bay on the opposite side.Quote: harrisQuote: AxelWolfI swear, back in the '90s there was a church on the strip that had 2 video poker machines in the lobby.
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legendary if true
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I've seen video poker is some strange places.
A few of the short-term rental places, like the Budget Suites, often had video poker in their office lobby.
Boston Pizza near the Stratosphere actually had two Sigma Flush Attack machines. I made it a point to eat there often since the food was really good, and I always had the extra value from the machines.
I don't know if they still do, but they used to have bar-top video poker machines up at Mount Charleston.
The old clubs like the Palladium, the Shark Club, and a few others had video poker at the bars. Actually, the more I think about it, a lot of clubs, even the newer ones had video poker and good opportunities. The beach across from the convention center not only had machines, but it also had a Sportsbook, so you didn't have to pay to get inside, even on a super busy night, if you told them you were there to gamble.
The gay district clubs had a bunch of video poker at most of the places.
At least four or five different strip clubs had video poker bar tops. I played a few good +EV opportunities at strip clubs, one lasted for months.
The Blueberry Hill restaurants had video poker and they probably still do.
I have found multiple good opportunities at 7-Eleven's video poker machines.
