State sanctioned gambling

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tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Tennessee
#41
Well you did not do too bad if all you lost was your shirt that cost what about 20 dollars, and even if more money that is still not a bad loss.

I know a guy that got a divorce and said he lost his shirt and I thought he did alright in that deal.
Lost my shirt also due to divorce. Fortunately, it was just a T-shirt.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,347
1,045
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#43
I have a friend who has a gambling addiction and he will go to the casino and when large sums of money and then end up losing it all
I remember he purchased an entire roll of scratch offs thinking he would come out ahead but he still lost money
On one hand, it does bring in revenue for the state but on the other hand it seems to be mostly poor communities who play lottery and buy scratch offs the most
 

abbaaliyu

New member
Apr 8, 2023
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#44
I agree with the Bible verses you shared, and I think it's important for individuals to be content with what they have rather than constantly chasing after wealth. However, I also believe that there need to be better regulations in place to protect vulnerable individuals from the harms of gambling.
 

Fillan

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2022
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#45
I think its time to talk about gambling and how the state is now preying on its own citizens out of greed..
I agree. The state should be protecting the vulnerable, the needy, the desperate, the poor. Allowing gambling is morally indefensible IMHO. It is also something the church should be speaking up against. God Bless :)
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,178
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#46
Isnt Monte Carlo and entire state or country thats founded on gambling eg their casino?

Also Las Vegas must be state sanctioned as well in Nevada. I dont think it can hurt people who WANT to live there, but for the children who have no choice and have parents who are professional gamblers it would be a hard life for them growing up around that and not having much exposure to real honest work.

I read this book that was called...Children of Las Vegas I think...it interviewed all these children/teens who had grown up in Las Vegas and the majority really wanted to leave and hated HATED living there. One quoted it as Disneyland for adults...I dont think too much has changed from 'wild west' days except its just become more sophisticated.

Of course the mafia and other drug rings are behind the kingpins of Las Vegas but casino gambling is not the only corruption out there...plenty of business people embezzle and hide things in offshore tax havens and commit serious fraud and flip properties and big business devours the smaller ones so wherever theirs greed and love of money there will be sin.

States are not exempt from being greedy and wanting a lot more money than they have already got. Many just dont know about the resources they already have and how what they have are the real riches and treasure, not money.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,347
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#47
Gambling is never mentioned in the Bible
 

Genipher

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2019
2,202
1,584
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#48
Gambling is never mentioned in the Bible
Isn't casting lots akin to gambling?
The men who cast lots for Jesus' garments, for example. Weren't they essentially gambling for His clothes?
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,347
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#49
Isn't casting lots akin to gambling?
The men who cast lots for Jesus' garments, for example. Weren't they essentially gambling for His clothes?
No because it never says any money was involved.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
32,301
5,670
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#50
If you worship money then you are worshipping an idol, that is clearly sinful in the Bible.

If you covet money that also is a clear sin in the Bible.

If you say that your gambling is not a result of coveting or worshipping but simply some "harmless fun" the bible also says that you will be judged on every idle word you speak and we are told to "redeem the time for the days are evil".

So then the only time I can think of when "gambling" did't fall under one of those three is when an argument is concluded by a $5 bet on the truth of something that was said. The thing said may not be idle words and the person making the bet may not be a believer and so agreeing to this may be along the lines of "all things to all people" or speaking the truth in love.

But Fantasy football, March Madness, OTB, the lottery, trip to Las Vegas, all of these can easily and plainly be seen as outright sin or ignoring the admonishment of the Lord.
 

Genipher

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2019
2,202
1,584
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#51
No because it never says any money was involved.
So would you say BINGO isn't gambling if the prize isn't money and you don't pay to play?
For example, I went to BINGO with my grandma once and to play we had to donate canned goods. One of the prizes was a cake.
Not gambling?
 

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
7,871
1,570
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#52
As I've often spoken of I have had a multitude of jobs across my life. When I was young I worked in physical type outdoor jobs but I was born with asthma and as I got older and it became worse I went into restaurant management(DQ franchise) but as time went on I ended up in convenience stores(about 17 total over the last several years I could work). My first impression was probably like most in that it might be good. If you sell the lottery tickets you have to write down all the numbers at the beginning and ending of every shift(inventory them),,times three shifts if your a 24 hour store.

You have to stand there and sell a few and watch people back off and scratch them then bring them back and have you scan them to see if they won. At times people ask you to wish them luck but a lot of people think you cursed theirs if you do. The other customers would grumble because they were in a hurry and were waiting for them to get out of their way every day of the week. In all the years I sold the lottery I probably sold hundreds of thousands of tickets and I never scanned one that exceeded the limit(was 500.00 not sure the max now) that we could pay out at the store most were less than a hundred and when we totaled the daily payouts for all shifts they were never more than a few hundred dollars.
 

Dude653

Senior Member
Mar 19, 2011
12,347
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#53
So would you say BINGO isn't gambling if the prize isn't money and you don't pay to play?
For example, I went to BINGO with my grandma once and to play we had to donate canned goods. One of the prizes was a cake.
Not gambling?
Nope, not gambling. Also if they are donating canned goods to feed people what's the problem?
 

Genipher

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2019
2,202
1,584
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#54
Nope, not gambling. Also if they are donating canned goods to feed people what's the problem?
Not a problem. In fact, I remember thinking at the time that it was a pretty neat idea.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,178
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#55
its rigged for sure.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
2,516
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#56
I agree. The state should be protecting the vulnerable, the needy, the desperate, the poor. Allowing gambling is morally indefensible IMHO. It is also something the church should be speaking up against. God Bless :)
That should be the responsibility of the church.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,178
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#57
I know one church actually built their extra wing from proceeds from the local pokies.
 
May 28, 2023
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#58
I find it interesting how some organizations and churches have been able to benefit from state-sanctioned gambling. It's amazing how proceeds from activities like pokies can be put towards important community projects.
 
May 28, 2023
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#59
I find it interesting how some organizations and churches have been able to benefit from state-sanctioned gambling. It's amazing how proceeds from activities like pokies can be put towards important community projects.
For me, gambling is mainly about having a good time and enjoying the thrill of the game. It's not about winning big or relying on it as a source of income. Remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means.
If you're interested in exploring different casino games like baccarat, I recommend checking out บาคาร่า. It has useful tips and strategies to help you make the most of your gambling experience.
 

ZNP

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2020
32,301
5,670
113
#60
For me, gambling is mainly about having a good time and enjoying the thrill of the game. It's not about winning big or relying on it as a source of income. Remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means.
If you're interested in exploring different casino games like baccarat, I recommend checking out บาคาร่า. It has useful tips and strategies to help you make the most of your gambling experience.
To me gambling is a game, just like it referred to in the Bible where they sat down to eat and then they rose up to play referring to the sinful, idolatrous worship of Moloch that took place at mount Sinai. The only reason anyone would have a "thrill" at a casino is because they worship money.