I don't know but if it is, I must be on a highway to Hell. I can't imagine it's considered bad by Christians. After all, so many of them love poker. And Bingo. And slots. But, oh yeah, I forgot, most Christians are hypocrites.

Does it cause you to have lack of self control? Is it in line with the fruitages of God's spirit?

There is no such command as “Thou shalt not gamble” found in the Bible. However, greed is clearly condemned. And forget the poor example that some "Christians" or even entire religious institutions set in this regard. Focus now on what God requires of us and what the Bible says. It is widely acknowledged that gambling often leads to or incites greed. This is important to Christians, for the Bible strongly condemns “greediness.” God informs us that “greedy persons” will not inherit his kingdom, and that covetousness is to be classed with idolatry. So, sincere Christians want to avoid practices that might cause them to manifest greediness and thus to fall far short of the glory of God. ( Please see the scriptures found at Colossians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; and Romans 3:23. Gamblers often magnify ‘Lady Luck.’ For them “luck” is not a word merely meaning good results, but is a superhuman influence like a god. Greed and pride move gamblers to trust in “luck.” Gambling frequently has the effect of inducing laziness. It encourages persons to dream of getting something for nothing, even moving them to lie or cheat to win rather than work. But God’s Word counsels against laziness and urges thrift, diligence and hard work. “If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The bad fruits of gambling are so notorious that in many communities gamblers are looked down upon, even if gambling is legal. So, the desire to have a “fine testimony from people on the outside,” and to avoid prejudicing others against the “good news of the kingdom” has added to the reasons why many Christians absolutely avoid all gambling. The most damaging consequence of all, however, is the damage to one’s spirituality. Never minimize the importance of that impact on yourself. The Bible condemns greed and the love of money. (1 Corinthians 5:10, 11; 1 Timothy 6:10) Like any addiction, compulsive wagering is a “defilement of flesh and spirit.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) The more you bet, the more you damage your conscience and your relationship with God. Compare 1 Timothy 4:2. The best way to avoid becoming a compulsive gambler, then, is to avoid gambling in the first place. Avoid it in all its forms, including the betting of small amounts of money. Many a life-long gambling habit has begun by gambling pennies.

According to common sense it is fool's game and will make the bookie rich and you poor!

I am not sure if gambling is bad in the eyes of the bible - however - I have heard of something similar, that usuary (collecting interest on a loan) is a sin. That struck me as a bit strange seeing as how absolutely commonplace it is today. I have no sources to site, but I thought that might be relevant to your question because if it is a sin to collect interest than how would gambling be percieved? Not good would be my guess.

Gambling is considered much the same as consuming alcohol and other activities that can become vices. If done in moderation then there is no problem. If not done in moderation then you can be in big trouble. The Catholic Church officially teaches: Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when: + They deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others + The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter. For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2413: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art7.htm#2413 With love in Christ.

I remember Billy Graham saying on TV that the Bible doesn't say anything about gambling. Any connection people make between gambling and the Bible is the product of their own conclusions after reading passages that talk about what is good or bad. Just common sense applied to what they think about gambling.

All the answers here are good. One verse sticks in my mind though. Somewhere He says that a man who doesn't take care of his family is worse than an infidel. If someone is gambling money away and taking it from the funds that should go to support children I am going to assume it's wrong, worse yet if he relies on it instead of a regular income. It's a pretty iffy thing, that betting stuff. Lol !

I, personally, place things into three categories. Sin, scruple, or stupid. As far as I'm aware, there is nothing in the Bible that explicitly states gambling as a SIN, therefore cannot call you out in this particular area of your life and say you are "sinning." If it were a scruple, I may have a problem with it because of certain situtations that have affected me or even a refernece to stewardship in the Bible but that scruple simply applies to me and I cannot force my scruples on YOU. If it were stupid, it would just be seen as unwise. Look at simple math and science to say that the odds of you winning are not in your favor so it would just be stupid for you to do it. Not a sin and someone may have a scruple about it but it could just be stupid. Not everything has to be "Chapter and Verse" from the Bible. Some things are just common sense. Hope this helps! God bless!

The way i see this is you didn't ask if it was a sin but rather was it bad. This can be bad if you look deeper into it. The biggest picture here is cause and affect. On a small scale you say i bet you a dollar my team wins. you lose your out a dollar not really a life altering affect here. On a larger scale I bet you my house my team wins. you lose well you been foolish and foolishness is not rewarded from good intentions. The Bible does frown upon foolishness. Gambling is pretty much how life works here. You quit your job and work a better job. once there maybe this job was not so good you took a gamble and lost. but you did not lose everything. Gambling is not a bad thing it is a normal thing and something we all do even if we do not think we do. It is the cause and affect that becomes bad according to the bible. In other words don't bet the farm

According to the Bible... -Playing with loaded dice is bad. -Trying to get something for nothing is bad. -Being disolute, wasteful, and slothful is bad. -Being addicted to/enslaved by any desire, apetite, or compulsion is bad. -Doing what you think is a sin (but isn't) is still a sin for you, because you're doing what you believe to be wrong. -Wasting money, time, and other resources is bad. -Being faithless, self-indulgent, and irresponsible is bad. -lending money at interest (or with security) to the poor/those in dire need is VERY bad. It is however NOT bad to take calculated risks, and certainly NOT bad to invest your money well. Neither is it bad to have friendly wagers occassionally, just for fun/sport - so long as both you and your opposite can afford to lose. Also it is NOT bad to cast lots to decide a course of action IF you've sought out the will of God in prayer, done all your due dilligence, and still don't know which way to go.

This is where I disagree with GAMBLING IS BAD!. I do not condon gambling, though I do believe that if you have a mathamatical advantage and bring in a steady income, then it should be considered ok. example. If I have a $20 matchplay coupon and I risk 20 dollars to win $40. Since mathmatically I would win 48.5 percent of the time and i'm getting 2-1 on my money, i do it 100 times in a month, I would expect $1000. It is an investment more then a gamble. Like any business the risk to reward is incredible. I feel if your responsible, have a plan, and use the money to help your family rather then blow it on sinful desires, then it should be considered ok.

yes i think it is bad & goes against the bible but thats just what i think & believe!

No, it's an unrewarding bad habit - at least it is for me.

only if you spend the rent money.

If you gamble more than you can afford to lose, then probably yes. I'd say that putting a few dollars on the poker machines or buying a lotto ticket, is ok.

Only when you take the food and necessities from those you are responsible for. Or if it becomes addictive, which is actually a disease. I gamble a little myself, now and then,..when I think I have picked a really good horse. I even buy a lottery ticket now and then. I have also plugged a few game machines. But it is just an occasional game for me. I never gamble more than I would spend on myself on a weekend at a theme park for recreation. It's all in the budget...(smile). All in all, I am a bit ahead...over several years. And my winnings are usually spent on other people, gifts, etc. I am satisfied. And no, I don't feel like a 'sinner'.

No. Do what you want with your money. It's yours. Fight anyone who thinks it isn't yours to do with as you please.

It will be once the repo man comes for yo ass. XD

Only in some religion it is sin.

I wouldn't bet on it ;)

Nope.

As far as I'm concerned, there is only one "sin" and that is to deliberately, knowingly do something that harms another. All other conduct should be acceptable. Incidentally, this principle may allow for condemning those who provide gambling opportunities...but not the gambler.

Depends how you look at it... Religiously, I don't think it says so, anywhere. Morally, so long as you aren't spending money you need or things you need then it shouldn't be a problem.

Only if it rules you.