What does the Bible say about gambling? Lottery and betting apps
The Bible never mentions gambling or betting, but it says a lot about what drives them: the love of money and the rush to get rich without work. The same principles help with the lottery, raffles and sports betting. The lots cast in the Bible were something else: a way to reach a decision before God, with nothing staked.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The most direct passage on the subject: Paul does not condemn money but “the love of money” and the wish to get rich, which becomes a snare and drowns people. The promise of getting rich overnight is exactly what gambling sells.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Two paths: wealth “gotten by vanity” — out of thin air — dwindles, while what is gathered “by labour” grows little by little. Gambling promises the first.
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Whoever loves money “shall not be satisfied with silver”: the next prize always looks like the one that will fix everything. Ecclesiastes calls it vanity.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
The Bible’s antidote to greed is contentment, and the reason is a presence, not an amount: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Paul tells each one to work and “eat their own bread”. Provision comes from work (and in Ephesians 4:28, from work that leaves something to share), not from hoping for a stroke of luck.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient”, and Paul refuses to be “brought under the power of any”. It is the test for anyone who plays for fun, and the warning for when gambling turns into addiction.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
In the Bible, casting lots was a way to decide, trusting that “the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” — that is how the land was divided (Joshua 18:10) and Matthias was chosen as an apostle (Acts 1:26). In those cases no one staked anything or walked away a loser; what they sought was God’s will.
For many Christians, every bet is a sin: it springs from the desire to gain without work, one person’s win comes from others’ losses, and the risk of addiction is high — which is why many evangelical churches ask members to stay away from all gambling. Others see a small, occasional bet, like an office pool or a lottery ticket, as entertainment, as long as it does not become a hope, money the household needs, or an addiction; for them the sin is greed, not the game itself. Both agree that trusting in money and hurrying to get rich do harm, and that a Christian’s hope does not rest on luck.
Frequently asked questions
Is playing the lottery a sin?
The Bible does not mention the lottery. So some Christians see an occasional ticket as entertainment spending, and others see it as sin, because it feeds the desire to get rich without work (1 Timothy 6:9; Proverbs 13:11). The questions the Bible helps you ask are: with what heart you play, how much you spend, and whether your household needs that money.
Are church raffles gambling?
A raffle works like a drawing with a stake: each ticket buys a chance to win. Many churches use raffles to raise money for a cause, and buyers usually think more about helping than winning; other churches avoid them to stay consistent with what they teach about gambling and simply ask for gifts. The Bible does not address it, and Paul’s test applies: not everything that is lawful is helpful (1 Corinthians 10:23).
How do I get free from a gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction is real, it is treatable, and it is not just a lack of willpower. Don’t carry it in secret: tell someone you trust (family, a pastor or a priest), see a doctor or a licensed counselor, and look for a support group such as Gamblers Anonymous. Asking for help is one way of living what Paul says: “I will not be brought under the power of any”.
