Sports betting is promoted all over the place. It is estimated that $35 billion will be bet on the 2024 NFL season. That estimate is 30% higher than last year. 38 states have legal betting markets.[1] Ironically, there are all sorts of commercials promoting sports betting and encouraging responsible gambling. If commercials are airing about responsible gambling, that is a clear sign that a lot of people struggle to gamble responsibly. That itself should be a warning. 

Christians are to be good stewards of the resources and responsibilities that have been entrusted to them (Genesis 2:15; Luke 16:1-12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-10; 1 Peter 4:10; Titus 1:7). Misuse of resources is a form of theft because it fails to honor God as the ultimate owner and one that has given those resources to be managed well. Christians have been bought with a price, so we are supposed to honor Jesus with our bodies and belongings. 

If we have the world’s goods, we should heavily consider whether we are optimally using those resources. As 1 John 3:17 says, “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Here are some helpful questions for us to ask as we consider whether or not we should gamble: 

• Are you hoping to get rich quick (Proverbs 13:11)?[2]
• Are you gambling because you are covetousness or trusting in wealth (Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:17)
• Is it illegal (Romans 13:1-2)?[3]
• Are you addicted, or could it lead to addiction (Proverbs 6:27; 1 Corinthians 6:12)?
• Are you gambling for your own glory and fulfillment (1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31)?[4]
• Is it going to cause others to stumble (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33)?
• Is it profitable, and does it encourage you to love and do good works (Titus 3:8; Hebrews 10:24)? Will it hinder your motivation to live your life fully for the Lord (Romans 12:1)?
• Will you be unduly tempted to run to it for refuge and a means of peace rather than the Lord who alone gives true peace (Psalm 18:2, 30; John 14:27)?

With all that said, I do not believe the Bible says, “Thou shalt not take part in any type of gambling.” If one considers the above questions and believes it is okay to occasionally gamble conservatively, then that is the individual’s choice. We spend money on entertainment sometimes, and I do not think that is inherently wrong. But I certainly believe we should not take part in gambling lightly. 

[1] See David Purdum, “Estimated $35 billion expected to be bet on NFL this season.”

[2] Sadly, gambling tends to prey on the poorest in society (Proverbs 22:16, 22).

[3] It should be realized that some gambling is often associated with organized crime. 

[4] “The ‘whatever’ is universal. It includes our eating and drinking, sleeping, waking, bathing, working, marrying, entertaining ourselves—indeed, every human activity. When we glorify God, we are doing right, and when we do not glorify God, we are doing wrong” (John Frame, The Doctrine of the Christian Life, 169).