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Religious Views

Buddhism

  • Buddha states that gambling is source of destruction" in the Singalovada Sutra

Hinduism

  • Ancident Hindu poems like "Gambler's Lament" testify gambling amongst ancient Indians, it states the effects of gambling such as it's destructive impact

Judaism

  • Ancient Jewish authorities frown upon it, disqualifying professional gamblers from testifying in courts.

Christiany

  • The Bible does not explicitly condemn gambling
  • However the desire to become rich is stated multiple times in the New Testament

Catholicism

  • The Catholic Church has a position that there is no moral hinderance/obstruction to gambling, aslong it is fair and have a reasonable chance to winning, there is no fraud involved and all parties don't have knowledge of the outcome of the bet
  • Catholic Bishops opposed gambling on grounds that it tempts one to become addicted to such activites leading to an addiction
  • St. Thomas Aquinas wrote gambling should be especially forbidden when:
    • The gambler is underaged
    • Unable to consent to the transaction

Protestants

  • Views vary, some discouraging/forbidding it for their members

Islam

  • Gambling is considered haram (bad)
  • In some parts of the world such as Aceh (province in Indonesia) employ a punishment that Muslim gamblers can face 12 lashes or a 1 year prison sentence and a fine
  • Some Islamic nations outright prohibit it
  • Most others regulate it