First of all, let’s state the obvious: the Bible never mentions slot machines, poker tables, or lottery tickets. So no, you won’t find a verse that says, “Thou shalt not gamble.” So is it ok to blow some money on the slots? Play some poker with the guys this weekend? Book a flight to Atlantic City? Before you grab your scratch-off ticket and claim victory, let’s dig deeper.

The Bigger Issue

Even though the Bible doesn’t explicitly ban gambling, it does speak loudly about some of the heart issues that are often connected to it:

• Greed – Jesus warned us to “watch out for all kinds of greed” (Luke 12:15). Gambling often feeds the desire for more, faster, without work.
• Stewardship – 1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us that we’re called to be faithful stewards of what God entrusts to us. Throwing away money on chance is not wise management of the resources we’ve been given to use.
• Love of Money – Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Gambling can easily shift our focus from trusting God to trusting luck.
• Exploitation – Proverbs 16:33 tells us “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” But casinos and lotteries aren’t designed to bless you – they profit from your loss. Many people caught in gambling addictions are crushed financially and spiritually.

So… Is It a Sin?

Here’s the deal: gambling in itself isn’t listed as a sin in Scripture. But many of the attitudes and effects tied to it – greed, addiction, idolatry, poor stewardship, exploitation – are. That means our concern here is less about the act of placing a bet and more about what’s happening in your heart, soul, and life because of it.

Bottom Line

The Bible doesn’t call gambling a sin by name, but it does call out the dangers that come with it. If it controls you, feeds greed, wastes what God gave you, or hurts others, it’s not honoring to God.

In other words, just because something isn’t explicitly forbidden doesn’t mean it’s wise. Paul said it best: “I have the right to do anything – but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12).