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Gambling and Public Policy
A society's public policy regarding gaming usually falls into one of four general categories.
The most restrictive is that gambling is an undesirable activity that government should not tolerate; the least restrictive is that gambling is an acceptable activity that its citizens and residents may engage in without government interference.
Between these polar positions are others, including the position that gambling is inevitable and that therefore government should allow it, but restrict it so that it is not encouraged.
Another common policy position is to allow gambling if its benefits outweigh its burdens.
Philosophical, theological, social, and economic arguments are offered to support each public policy reason. For example, theological arguments generally support the position that gambling is undesirable. Theological and social/economic arguments are often similar in result, however, if not in analysis.
The most restrictive public policy position is that gambling is undesirable. While this position may have philosophic, economic, or social foundations, the religious orientation of society usually concern questions of individual rights and the negative impact of gambling on society.
In catholics, gambling is more prevalent in Christian-dominated societies than in others. Not surprisingly, many Christian religions have the most liberal approach to it. This is not to imply that all Christian religions condone gambling.
Still, over a billion adherent worldwide, the Catholic Church's generally liberal attitude is significant.
Many Protestant denominations believe that gambling is wrong for both theological, and social/economic reasons. Still, no consensus exists among them. Some condemn gambling as sinful and wrong, while others leave decisions on gambling to the individual's conscience.
There following are the basis for most Protestant theological arguments:
Biblical teachings command Christians to use their talents and direct their efforts to productive vocations. Gambling is viewed as the antithesis of the work ethic, where gain is sought for no effort or productive service.
Christians should use their earnings for God's purposes, such as supporting one's family, relieving poverty, and supporting just causes. Gambling is a wrongful disposition of one's earnings.
A Christian's devotion should be to God, not money. Greed, or devotion to money, is contrary to devotion to God. A typical theological argument is that gambling 'vitiates love for God by exalting the worship of money', and 'submits outcome to chance, therefore, subverting a trust in God's dependable provisions for human needs.
Gambling creates a much higher percentage of losers than winners. Gaming operators allow a system that exploits or steals from other humans for profit.
In Judaism, the Jewish religion has no strong pronouncement against gambling per se. Jewish teachings frown on the habitual or professional gambler as a non-contributor to the good of society, but has no similar condemnation for the occasional gambler who otherwise meets his or her societal obligations.
Israel, the only Jewish state, does not permit casino gambling.
The Koran, Islam's holy scriptures, condemns gambling as Satan's work. Its teachings view gambling as taking without compensation. There is an exception for horse racing because betting on this event encourages training for holy wars.
The Hindu religion views gamblers as impure, and incapable of finding the truth. India and Burma, both with predominantly Hindu populations, do not allow casinos.
Buddhism, the dominant religion of Eastern Asia, views gambling as an activity that should be avoided. The Buddha includes gambling as one of the evils that will lead man to ruin. Japan does not allow casino gambling, but does allow betting on boat, horse, and bicycle races.
