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Gambling Dangers (Part 3)

It is no surprise that those who have a lustful desire for money are destroyed by it. This principle and warning was taught by Paul when he wrote, "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 pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9-10). The destruction of gambling is often overlooked and not considered by the covetous. There are dangers associated with this sin that are even worse than other sins. Dave Miller and Kyle Butt wrote, “Just the fact that there is a ‘National Center for Pathological Gambling’ should clue every legislator into the fact that there is something wrong with this type of activity.”[1] What are five dangers gambling produces?

                

Danger 1: It is addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12). Paul warned of the danger of addictions in his treatise to the Corinthians. Paul forbid anyone from being influenced by an substance, action, or even a person to the point that an addiction is developed. The phrase “brought under the power” comes from the Greek word ἐξουσιάζω and it means to have authority over. Nothing is to have authority over our minds to which we are enslaved by it, gambling included.  

                

An addiction is defined as “a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity.”[2] Interestingly, Cambridge dictionary had gambling as an example under their definition of addiction! The DSM-5 has included “Gambling Disorder” as a section in their catalog. Gambling is unlike any other addiction. Dr. Fong observed that "Gambling, unlike any other addiction, is associated with cognitive distortions…” 'People say, ‘If I keep gambling then eventually I’ll win.’ You don’t say that about alcohol, tobacco or cocaine.'"[3] The analytics are not shy. One paper noted that "Researchers spanning three decades estimate that from slightly less than 1 percent up to 1.9 percent of  the U. S. general population suffers from pathological gambling.10 In a meta-analysis of 120 previous studies, researchers at the Center for Addictions Harvard Medical School found that approximately 1.1 percent of the adult general population were past-year level three [pathological] gamblers and an additional 2.8 percent were classified as level 2                 [problematic] gamblers who were having some problems as a result of their gambling but did not meet diagnostic criteria as pathological.11 This research suggests that almost 4 percent of the adult  population in the United States suffers from some form of gambling disorder."[4]

Note these statistics:[5]

  • In the United States, between 1 and 2% of the adult population (2-4 million) will develop a gambling disorder at some point in their lives [24].

  • Only 10% of people with gambling problems will seek help [24].

  • In 2022, the U.S. National Institutes of Health failed to invest any money to study gambling problems [24].

  • 39% of people who are getting assistance for a gambling disorder will drop out of treatment [25].

  • During the global pandemic the number of compulsive gamblers grew by 17.6% [26].

  • New Jersey’s high-risk problem gambling rate is three times the national level [40].

There is surely an epidemic and addictions to this sin are rampant.


How do people develop this addiction? Emily Sohn wrote: "For one group of people, habitual gambling pushes them to chase wins until they develop a problem. A second group comes from a history of trauma, abuse, or neglect, and gambling offers an escape from stress, depression, and anxiety. A third group may have antisocial or impulsive personalities with     risk-taking behaviors."[6] The addiction is very deceptive. People mistakenly think that their loss is bad luck so they keep on playing until they get “good luck,” which rarely happens. Ian Flemmin said, “At gambling, the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck.” It is impossible to get an addiction to gambling if you never start; however, if you gamble occasionally, you have a 50 to 1 chance of developing a problem, and if you gamble once a week or more other than the lottery-style gambling you have a 7 to 1 chance of developing a problem.[7] Truly, the addiction continues because money is not a satisfying object (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Someone said, “The love of money increases, in proportion as money itself increases.”

                

If you are a compulsive gambler, it would be for your upmost benefit to seek help immediately. Psychotherapy is one of the best forms of treatment, specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.[8] It also best to refrain from any places and all events where gambling (in any form) could take place (Proverbs 4:14-15; Matthew 5:29-30; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John 5:21). Kindbridge advised, "Casino gamers must logically avoid land-based casinos, delete gaming apps from their digital devices, and install software (such as Gamban) that          prevents devices from accessing online gambling platforms. Sports bettors must also do the same for online sportsbooks and fantasy apps. Even go-to news resources such as CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, and the rest are full of picks and predictions to tempt your senses. And as of August 2023, ESPN should be added to the list of sites for           problem gamblers to avoid. Lastly, remove yourself from social situations that encourage gambling."[9] 

                

Danger 2: Suicide. Gambling does not only affect the wallet, but it can also pose a threat to life. “Research from different countries has shown that among people receiving treatment for problem gambling, between 22% and 81% have thought about suicide, and 7% to 30% have made an attempt.”[10] “A Swedish study, for example, reported a standardised mortality ratio of 15·1 for suicide among a cohort of more than 2000 people with diagnosed gambling disorder compared with the general population5 Cowlishaw and Kessler6 reported odds ratios of 4·2 for suicidal ideation, and 5·5 for suicide attempts, among high-risk gamblers in health-care settings.”[11] Heavy gamblers who started off as normal gamblers have taken their own life due to the distress and mental pain gambling has caused. Unfortunately, some die with grief much like Judas (Matthew 27:1-5) or perhaps with desperation like Saul (1 Samuel 31:1-4). Gambling is not worth it.      

                

Danger 3: It leads to financial trouble. Charles Spurgeon said, “A young gambler is sure to be an old beggar if he lives long enough.” Gambling is laziness in entertainment and any form of laziness leads to ruin (Proverbs 13:4). Gambling is a way to get money without working—unsurprisingly it kills a man financially (Proverbs 21:25; 28:19). Often those who resort to gambling and develop addictions to it neglect the duty of providing for their families—which is sinful (1 Timothy 5:8). One report noted that "Acquiring debt was a common strategy used by gamblers and affected others to make ends meet. This included borrowing from members of their social networks, payday loans, personal loans, credit cards, and refinancing their mortgage. Some gamblers explained that borrowing money was initially a way to cover their expenses and making it to their next payday. Borrowed money was used for daily expenses such as buying groceries, repaying debts, and catching up on bills, with some also      gambling with borrowed money.”[12] Bills pile upon bills, credit cards[13] are maxed out, and savings are blown all to support an addiction. Extremely, “the top 1% of gamblers surveyed spent 58% of their income and one in ten are spending 8% on the habit.”[14] The debt from such a sin is catastrophically burdensome. One reported that "Bankruptcy presents yet another adverse consequence of excessive gambling. In one of the few studies to address bankruptcy, Ladouceur et al. (1994) found that 28 percent of the 60 pathological gamblers attending Gamblers Anonymous either reported that they had filed for bankruptcy or reported debts of $75,000 to $150,000."[15] According to debt.org, “The average debt generated by a man addicted to gambling is between $55,000 and $90,000. Women gamblers average $15,000 of debt.”[16] There is no limit to the financial burdens people acquire to gambling, especially for those who develop a problem. The financial dangers alone should be enough to keep people from practicing this vice.

                

Danger 4: It leads to other sins. Someone said, “Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” It is no surprise that something sinful leads to more sin. The principle of the progression of sin is stated in the Scripture (2 Samuel 11; Psalm 1:1). Many would be wise to understand that gambling sometimes is not the only sin committed at the boats, nor does is stop with sins of finance. What does gambling often produce?  

  • Divorce. “One study in The Journal of Social Issues found that as gambling increases, there is an increase in ‘(a) proportion of divorce and separation; (b) disagreement about money matters with one’s spouse; (c) lack of understanding between marital partners; and (d) more reported problems among children of gamblers.’{10}[17] “The personal damage is also great: the divorce rate for problem gamblers is twice the rate of non-gamblers.”[18]

  • Abuse: “Bland and colleagues (1993) estimated that 23 percent of the spouses and 17 percent of the children of pathological gamblers were physically and verbally abused. These percentages vary somewhat across studies. Lorenz and Shuttlesworth (1993) estimated that 50 percent of spouses and 10 percent of children experienced physical abuse from the pathological gambler.”[19]

  • Stealing. “In order to support their gambling sin, some may even steal from others! a Pennsylvania priest was arrested for allegedly stealing over $117K from his church to cover gambling debt. Then there’s Chicago’s well-known Rabbi Michael Sternfield who was ousted from his position after winning a $10,000 jackpot from the very same casino he was self-excluded (due to debt) from. And the NFL executive? Former Jacksonville Jaguars executive, Amit Patel, has allegedly admitted to embezzling more than $22 million from the team to cover losses sustained from playing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).[20] “Those with authorized access to company funds may use the money to support their addiction.”[21]

  • Substance abuse. While alcoholic rules differ between states, drinks are served nonetheless. Some states even serve free alcohol to players!

  • Sexual abuse and promiscuity. Casino’s are the modern day definition of Corinthianism! According to David Vialpando, “Human traffickers often seek to set-up shop in casino hotels to facilitate prostitution activity.”[22]

If you enter a casino or buy a lottery ticket, don’t expect for your sin to stop at the scratch or putting coins in the slot machine. Gambling often leads to other harmful and disastrous sins.

                

Danger 5: It will keep you out of heaven. Put aside all the financial, physical, social, and psychological problems; this last danger is the worst of all. Heaven does not welcome the idolatrous, thieves, and covetous. Paul wrote, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Logic proposes that a quest for the “supposed” win at the cost of finances, family, and ultimately one’s soul, is idiotic and pointless. Will you take a chance at the big win at the cost of your soul (Matthew 16:26)?


Endnotes

[2] Merriam Webster

[4]Position Paper “A Biblical Perspective on Gambling” 2015, pdf.

[12]Sarah Marko, Samantha L Thomas, Hannah Pitt, Mike Daube, The lived experience of financial harm from gambling in Australia, Health Promotion International, Volume 38, Issue 3, June 2023, daad062, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad062

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