Gambling is an activity in which participants wager something of value on an uncertain event. This could be the roll of a dice, the spin of a roulette wheel, or a horse race. The uncertainty of the outcome is what makes gambling a risky activity and one that is often associated with problems such as debt.
For some, gambling is a way to escape from daily stressors and provide a temporary high. It may also be used to help people deal with emotions such as anger, sadness or depression. However, this is rarely a sustainable approach and can have serious consequences for both the gambler and those close to them.
The negative social impact of gambling can be seen at personal and interpersonal levels, as well as at the society/community level. These impacts are mostly nonmonetary and can include costs/benefits that are invisible to the individual, costs related to problem gambling and long term cost/benefits.
Another significant negative social impact of gambling is that it often diverts money that would be better spent on a family’s basic needs or to advance a worthy cause. As Christians we are responsible to invest the resources entrusted to us wisely and gambling is a poor choice with a negative return. It also encourages a culture of greed and deception that is in direct conflict with biblical principles of good stewardship. (Matthew 25:14-30). For these reasons, it is important for Christians to consider the implications of gambling and seek to live within biblical boundaries.