2. Gambling

3. Gambling Statistics Going the Way of Las Vegas  Global revenue from gambling is expected to reach $125 billion by 2010. Last year, revenues were $82.2 billion, and are expected to increase by 8.8% annually.  The United States, the world's largest gambling market, could see revenue grow from $53.4 billion in 2005 to $74.5 billion in 2010.  Global revenue from gambling is expected to reach $125 billion by 2010. Last year, revenues were $82.2 billion, and are expected to increase by 8.8% annually.  The United States, the world's largest gambling market, could see revenue grow from $53.4 billion in 2005 to $74.5 billion in 2010.

4. Gambling Statistics Going the Way of Las Vegas  In 1963 Lotteries were banned in every state. Now 37+ States & D.C. have lotteries.  In 1997 Americans wagered $35.8 billion on lotteries. ($135 for every man woman & child in nation).  In 1963 Lotteries were banned in every state. Now 37+ States & D.C. have lotteries.  In 1997 Americans wagered $35.8 billion on lotteries. ($135 for every man woman & child in nation).

5. Gambling Statistics Going the Way of Las Vegas  In 1978 only Nevada had casinos. Now more than 25 states have some form of casino gambling (AP, May 12, 2003)  Americans now spend more on gambling than on movies, videos and DVD’s, music and books combined.” (Zenit.org)  In 1978 only Nevada had casinos. Now more than 25 states have some form of casino gambling (AP, May 12, 2003)  Americans now spend more on gambling than on movies, videos and DVD’s, music and books combined.” (Zenit.org)

6. Gambling Statistics Going the Way of Las Vegas More is spent on gambling than on education, religion, or medical care. 2003: three times more Americans visited casinos than baseball games 2003: spent more on casinos than amusement parks & movies combined 2003: spent more on casinos than amusement parks & movies combined More is spent on gambling than on education, religion, or medical care. 2003: three times more Americans visited casinos than baseball games 2003: spent more on casinos than amusement parks & movies combined 2003: spent more on casinos than amusement parks & movies combined

7. Gambling Statistics Going the Way of Las Vegas 2002 Super Bowl: $4 billion wagered The FBI estimates that in excess of $2.5 billion is wagered on the NCAA Tournament each year. 2002 Super Bowl: $4 billion wagered The FBI estimates that in excess of $2.5 billion is wagered on the NCAA Tournament each year.

8. Present in the electronic media Present in the electronic media – “World Poker Tour” (Travel Channel) – “World Series of Poker” (ESPN) – “Celebrity Poker Showdown” (Bravo) – “The Casino” (Fox) ( “Online Gambling and Casino Reviews,” http://gamblinglinks.com/nw_tv.html) 34Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Gambling’s Seduction

9. Present in the electronic media Present in the electronic media – Internet gambling is exploding – 73 million (up 20 million in 5 years) will visit online casinos an average of 6 times annually, losing billions of dollars – Internet: $6 billion revenue in 2003; estimated to be $17 billion by 2009 35Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Gambling’s Seduction

10. Present on high school campuses Present on high school campuses – Teenagers gamble sooner than they smoke & drink (University of Minnesota, 1998) – 87% gambled for money (’96 Conn. study) 40% involved in some form of state- sanctioned gambling 40% involved in some form of state- sanctioned gambling 36Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Gambling’s Seduction

11. Present on college campuses Present on college campuses – One Indiana U. junior lost $55,000 (mostly online poker) ( Sports Illustrated, May 30, 2005) – 85% involved in some form of gambling (23% on weekly basis) (1991 study) – 72% college football & basketball players while in college (Univ. of Michigan, 1998) – 672,000 students “addicted” in 1997 37 Gambling’s Seduction

12. Present at the workplace Present at the workplace – Office “pool” on the big game – Establishes a pattern of acceptance – Lessens resistance to other forms “If a little gambling is okay, then what’s wrong with more?” “If a little gambling is okay, then what’s wrong with more?” – Social gambling is defended by an appeal to consistency & as being “harmless fun” 39 Gambling’s Seduction

13. Present in many homes Present in many homes – As close at the Internet & TV! – Wastes money, time & energy – Destroys trust and security, leading to despair, divorce… 38Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Gambling’s Seduction

14. Present in the church Present in the church – Christians approving of and participating in lotteries, charity raffles & bingo, casinos… – Increasingly tolerant of gambling – Increasingly intolerant of reproof & rebuke 40Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Gambling’s Seduction

15. Forms of Gambling in Florida Horse racing Horse racing Dog racing Dog racing Jai Alai Jai Alai fund raising events such as casino nights, bingo, raffles, amusement games fund raising events such as casino nights, bingo, raffles, amusement games contests of chance operated by charitable and non-profit organizations contests of chance operated by charitable and non-profit organizations card rooms card rooms the state lottery the state lottery casinos & bingo halls casinos & bingo halls

16. What Is Gambling? “ wagering of money or other item of value on an uncertain event” (Encarta) “ wagering of money or other item of value on an uncertain event” (Encarta) “to play at any game of chance for stakes… to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance…bet; wager” (Random House College Dict.) “to play at any game of chance for stakes… to stake or risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance…bet; wager” (Random House College Dict.)

17. Three Elements 1) Uncertain Event 2) Stake or Wager on the outcome 14 3) A Winner at the expense of the Loser(s)

18. Event (uncertain) Stake / Wager Money or anything of value Agreed upon before Gambler # 1 Gambler # 2

19. What Is Gambling? A wager is made whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others A wager is made whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others – Risk is engineered into the game – Object is to win while others lose – Winnings once belonged to the losers – It is not a “victimless” activity in which “nobody gets hurt”

20. What Is Gambling? A wager is made whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others A wager is made whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others – Just because the participants consent to the risk doesn’t lessen the evil – Two men may consent to a duel to the death, but this does not remove the sin of murder when one kills the other

21. Farming Stocks Business Risk Insurance Prizes

22. What Is Gambling? Normal risk of business is not gambling as we are discussing it Normal risk of business is not gambling as we are discussing it Farming has risks (weather, pests, disease, weeds, etc.) Farmer minimizes risk by intelligent planning, careful calculations, hard work and prayer! His profit is not at the expense of others, and the risk is not contrived

23. Not Determined by Size or Degree 50c or $50 “Gambling, for the compulsive gambler is defined as follows: Any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or ‘skill’ constitutes gambling.” (Gambler’s Anonymous Web page)

24. Gambling is not explicitly dealt with in scripture Gambling is not explicitly dealt with in scripture – Neither is rape, dancing, running red lights, etc. – Rape: Sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3) – Dancing: Lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19) – Running Red Lights: Obeying Govt. (Rom. 13) – Gal. 5:21, “And the like…” “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

25. Gambling is Covetousness Gambling is Covetousness – Covet (epithumeo): “to fix the desire upon… to long for, lust after, covet” (Vine, 136) – Covetousness (pleonexia): lit., “a desire to have more” (Ibid.); Eager for more – At the root of all gambling is the desire to take away something which belongs to another – Luke 12:13-15; Col. 3:5-8; Eph. 5:5 21Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

26. Luke 12:13-15 “Then one from the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ 14 But He said to him, ‘Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?’ 15 And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’”

27. Colossians 3:5-8 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”

28. Ephesians 5:5 “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

29. The Sin of Gambling Gambling Violates Legitimate Economy Three legitimate means of transferring property: Three legitimate means of transferring property: – Law of Labor: Money is earned by effort expended (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:12; Luke 10:7) – Law of Exchange: Buying and Selling, investments, etc. (Matt. 13:44; Matt. 25:27) – Law of Love: Where money is given with no expectation of return (Eph. 4:28; Acts 2:45) Gambling does not qualify as any of these, is parasitic, selfish and greedy. Gambling does not qualify as any of these, is parasitic, selfish and greedy.

30. Gambling is Selfishness Gambling is Selfishness – “ You shall love your neighbor as yourselfLove does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:9-10 – “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:9-10 THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

31. Gambling is Selfishness Gambling is Selfishness – Love does not harm its neighbor – but gambling does! Gambling is a selfish ambition that esteems self above others. Gambling is a selfish ambition that esteems self above others. Phil. 2:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:2-4 Phil. 2:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:2-4 23Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

32. Philippians 2:3-4 “ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

33. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self- control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”

34. Gambling is a Waste of material blessings Gambling is a Waste of material blessings – Gambling wastes time, money, and energy that could be put to better use. – What if you gave someone $1000 and they turned around and gambled it away? 24 THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

35. Gambling is a Waste of material blessings Gambling is a Waste of material blessings – Rejects responsibility of stewardship in pursuit of the elusive pot of gold – Serving riches shows hate for God Luke 16:10-13 24 THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

36. Luke 16:10-13 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

37. Gambling is Addictive Gambling is Addictive – As social drinking (so-called) makes drunkards, so petty gambling makes habitual gamblers. – No drinker ever intended to become a drunkard and perhaps few petty gamblers intended to get hooked on gambling. 25Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

38. www.gamblersanonymous.org isomain@gamblersanonymous.org THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

39. “The greatest loss that resulted from our gambling was neither time nor money, which are gone forever, but our sense of values.” (Gamblers Anonymous Guidebook) THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

40. Gambling is Destructive Gambling is Destructive 25Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say? Rather than be content, many are minded to be rich, and… “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (1 Tim. 6:9)

41. “…by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20) – Greed, covetousness, dishonesty – Domestic violence, child abuse, adultery & broken homes – Theft, extortion, fraud, organized crime & prostitution – Alcohol, drugs, murder & suicide

42. “…by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20) – Destroys credibility, honesty, reliability & family stability – Causes great sorrow, pain and regret… “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.” (Prov. 15:16)

43. Breeds Crime Breeds Crime – Las Vegas has the highest crime rate per capita of any city in the U.S. – Atlantic City had some 4,391 crimes per year before their casinos. Afterward the numbers rose to 11,899 crimes per year. 27Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Fruits of Gambling Crime and Addiction

44. Honolulu Police Department: “We are convinced that gambling exploits those who can least afford it, and undermines community values. For example: 1. 15.4 million Americans are problem or pathological gamblers, with more than 50 percent between 12 to 18 years of age. 28Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Fruits of Gambling Crime and Addiction

45. “2. Social and economic costs include unemployment benefits, welfare benefits, physical and mental health problems, theft, embezzlement, bankruptcy, suicide, child abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, divorce, incarceration, work absences, and homelessness.” ( Honolulu Police Department Website, http://www.honolulupd.org/nv/gamblingposition.htm) Fruits of Gambling Crime and Addiction

46. Leads To Suicide Leads To Suicide – Suicides for gamblers are up 12-15% above the national average. – Suicide rates are 200 times higher than the national average for compulsive gamblers and 150 times higher for their spouses. 25Addictive Behaviors: Gambling Fruits of Gambling

47. Fruits of Gambling Crime and Addiction “In a 1976 report, the U.S. Commission on the Review of the National Policy Toward Gambling had cautioned about corruption and the incompatibility of revenue raising and crime control when jurisdictions legalize gambling. Crime figures reported to the FBI in the 9 years after the first casino opened in New Jersey in 1977 showed that the incidence of all crime combined had increased 138 percent. This crime problem, and the anticipated increase of citizen participation in legal as well as illegal gambling, raised a concern in the 1988 report of the New Jersey Governor's Advisory Commission on Gambling.” (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin)

48. Fruits of Gambling Crime and Addiction “Illegal Gambling is Still a Significant Problem. How big is illegal gambling? It may run as high as $100 billion per year. Other estimates put the figure even higher. That may seem like a very large figure, but as noted earlier, sports betting is immensely popular and most of it is illegal. The large extent of illegal sports betting is one of the reasons that some used to advocate its legalization. Others claim that business with illegal bookies would not decline because they offer better odds, credit, tax free payouts, and greater convenience in placing bets and collecting winnings.” (Gambling in California, Roger Dunstan, California Research Bureau)

49. Discourages labor & encourages “get rich quick” mentality Discourages labor & encourages “get rich quick” mentality “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” (Prov. 28:19-20) 43 Fruits of Gambling

50. Discourages labor & encourages “get rich quick” mentality Discourages labor & encourages “get rich quick” mentality “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.” (Prov. 28:22) 43 Fruits of Gambling

51. Gambling Is Deceptive Gambling Is Deceptive – “It’s just harmless entertainment” – “It’s a legal business enterprise” – “It’s for a good cause” (Rom. 3:8) – “It’s only wrong if you can’t afford it” (Prov. 14:12) – “It won’t cost me my soul” (1 Cor. 6:9-10) 32Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

52. Gambling’s appeal is raw greed: It is material, fleshly, worldly, & in vain Gambling’s appeal is raw greed: It is material, fleshly, worldly, & in vain Gambling’s hope is false & futile Gambling’s hope is false & futile Gambling deceives millions & plunges many into sinful & addictive behavior Gambling deceives millions & plunges many into sinful & addictive behavior 10Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

53. Gambling Harms The Christian’s Influence Gambling Harms The Christian’s Influence – “ Walk honestly toward them that are without…” (I Thess. 4:12) – “Provide things in the sight of all men.” (Rom. 12:17) – “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” (Rom. 14:21) 32Addictive Behaviors: Gambling THE SIN OF GAMBLING What Do The Scriptures Say?

54. Conclusion It is an bankrupt morality which seeks to justify something which causes so much suffering in the world, is associated with such crime, and is beneficial to no one! Gambling is an expression of covetousness, greed and laziness. It is sinful, and must be avoided by the people of God. It is an bankrupt morality which seeks to justify something which causes so much suffering in the world, is associated with such crime, and is beneficial to no one! Gambling is an expression of covetousness, greed and laziness. It is sinful, and must be avoided by the people of God.