A Biblical Perspective on Casino/Racino Gambling

By Christian Civic League of Maine Aug 10, 2007

I. Stewardship

The Bible teaches that we are to be good stewards of the financial resources the Lord has given us. In Luke 16:10-11, Jesus says:

“ Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

We are not to squander the finances the Lord gives us on riotous living (Luke 15:11-24) , but rather we are to use them to provide for our families and to support the Lord’s work.

“ If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family , he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

However, for every person who makes a net gain gambling at racinos, there are hundreds of others who suffer a net loss ... and the losses often drive families to financial ruin. Gamblers in the United States suffer a total net loss of over 70 billion dollars ($70,000,000,000.00) per year!

In addition, those who are already financially struggling, gamble away three times more of their money than middle class gamblers in hopes of “getting rich quick,” which drives them even deeper into financial despair. Not only does gambling take resources which should be used to provide for one’s family, but it also causes significant increases in divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, and also greatly increases the number of suicides in a community.

II. Avoid Temptation

The Bible tells us that we are to avoid the temptation of lust for money, which only ends in disaster.

“ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:9-11)

[See also: 1 Corinthians 10:13, and 1 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:17, and Luke 12:15.]

God’s people are to do honest labor to earn money, and not pursue “get rich quick” fantasies.

“He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.” (Proverbs 28:9) [See also: Proverbs 13:11, and 2 Thessolonians 3:10.]

The best way to avoid the temptation of slot machines and racinos is to keep them out of our State.

III. We are to look out for the welfare of others

Christians are to look out for the welfare of others, and help them to avoid sin; not lead them into temptation. Jesus said:

“ Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” (Luke 17:1-3)

[See also: Matthew 22:39, Romans 12:9-10, and Ezekial 3:18-21]

Even if you would not be tempted to gamble at a racino, the statistics show that many others will be, and that the results for them will be disastrous. Studies show that slot machine gambling produces reactions in the brain similar to cocaine use. An estimated 4% of racino patrons become pathological or problem gamblers; and 52% of casino revenues come from these problem and pathological gamblers. These gamblers sell all they have, and then beg, borrow and steal to support their gambling addictions.

IV. We are to look out for the welfare of society

The Bible teaches that God’s people are to promote righteousness in society, and not to let sin abound.

“ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)

However, where casinos and racinos thrive, sin abounds. In the first six years of casinos in Minnesota, the crime rate in counties with casinos increased more than twice as fast as in non-casino counties. Robberies increased by 20%, despite increased expenditures by law enforcement agencies. 62% of gamblers committed illegal acts as a result of their gambling. A Gamblers Anonymous survey showed that 47% admitted to stealing to finance their gambling.

Racinos cost communities much more than they give communities. For every $1.00 of revenue generated by legalized gambling, taxpayers must dish out at least $3.00 in increased criminal justice costs, social welfare expenses, high regulatory costs and increased infrastructure expenses.

Finally, casinos and racinos kill existing local businesses. Racinos include restaurants, bars, and hotels. Within just four years of the casinos’ arrival in Atlantic City, one-third of the city’s restaurants and retail businesses closed. Of course, the more money people spend on gambling, the less money they have to spend on retail items. Citizens in the State of Mississippi legalized casinos in 1993; and by 1995 they were spending more on gambling than on all retail sales in the State.

In sum, many Biblical principles oppose casino/racino gambling, and none support inviting such establishments into our State.