Gambling has been around for centuries. Nowadays, anybody with access to the Internet can enjoy every form of gambling. And you’re generally never that far away from a casino, either.
Humans have enjoyed gambling as a recreational and entertainment activity for many years as it offers an irresistible thrill that you may not find anywhere else.
Simply put, there is something exciting about not knowing where the slot reels will land or what card the dealer will lay. However, gambling is banned in many religious countries.
So, then the question becomes, is gambling a sin? Let’s delve into the age-old question of whether gambling is a sin, examining it through different religious perspectives.
Is Gambling a Sin in the Bible?
Although gambling is a sin in many religions, not many people know how gambling is perceived in Christianity and the Catholic Church.
While gambling has existed since the dawn of time, casinos, slot games, and lotteries have only been around in the last few decades.
Regardless, the Bible does mention gambling as a form of temptation that should be considered a sin.
Gambling is not just about going up against the casino; it’s about taking risks for some reward, which plays into the sin of greed. It’s a sin that can lead gamblers never to be satisfied.
God even encourages Christians to stay away from gambling in the following verse:
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” – 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Are There Gambling Saints?
Saint Cayetano
You may be surprised to hear that there is a gambling saint called San Cayetano (Saint Cajetan), known as the patron saint of gamblers. San Cayetano led a life void of possessions.
He was also a member of the Theatines, officially named as Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence, meaning they were not allowed to solicit alms.
However, San Cayetano was also the saint of the unemployed and bankers.
He opened a bank to help the poor, which later became the Bank of Naples. Additionally, the saint founded two hospitals in Vincenza (Venice).
How Does Buddhism View Gambling?
Buddhism does not believe in the existence of a supreme divine being, so there is no “God” to ask about the sinfulness of gambling.
However, Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, founded Buddhism in Nepal when gambling was common and accepted. The kingdom had many subjects that would gamble throughout their daily lives.
The sacred Buddhist scriptures even provide some acceptance for gambling, so it’s not technically deemed a sin. In theory, you can follow a Buddhist belief system and still be a gambler.
The Buddhism belief system focuses on the Four Noble Truths about human suffering and how to alleviate it through spiritual and ethical practices known as the Eightfold Path.
The ultimate spiritual goal is finding enlightenment and being released from the cycle of reincarnation.
That said, there are different types of gamblers, including recreational, habitual, and addictive. If you are a compulsive gambler, your mind will not be at peace, so you should avoid gambling.
It is believed that if you genuinely want to find the nirvana of the mind, you should probably avoid all forms of gambling.
