What: Gambling is defined by Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary as, “to play a game for money or property” or “to stake something on a contingency”. Betting and gambling debts have been around since the beginning of written history. References to gambling have been recorded in biblical stories, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, and can now be seen nearly ever day on cable on ESPN. Gambling is one of America's greatest sources of tax revenues, but has recently become a major issue for debate.
Who: Gambling affects everyone in the United States. Although people gamble all around the world, a large majority of American tax dollars are brought in due to gambling. Also, the moral and ethical issues presented with gambling can be applied to anyone because most U.S. citizens have either gambled themselves or know others that gamble. The issue at hand affects nearly everyone.
Where & How: There are hundreds of ways to gamble. The easiest and most recently popular way is online casinos. Generally, this form of betting consists of online poker rooms or video slots. You can also place bets on nearly any sporting event online. Also, with Iowa's new controversial TouchPlay machines you can gamble at convenience while you fill up with gas. You can also still gamble at casinos, race tracks, and on sporting events with bookies.
When: With new touch play machines you can gamble anywhere in public that has a machine, or you can gamble in the comfort of your own home with internet gambling sites such as www.partypoker.com. If you are still willing to make the drive, you can drive to full service casinos and race tracks.
Why: The issue that has risen over gambling is whether or not the gambling age should be 18 or 21, whether or not casinos should be allowed to serve alcohol to minors, and whether or not there is a rising problem with gambling addictions among the younger generations.
Law:
Laws on gambling are vary in every state. There are 5 topics usually covered by a state-by-state basis in regard to gambling laws. First is Skill Disregarded which argues whether or not it would truly be a game of chance. Second, Social Gambling Allowed, which states that playing for money, in strictly social conduct, can and will be allowed (Humphrey 1).
Third, Misdemeanor vs. Felony can only be determined by the state in which you reside. Next, Simple vs. Aggravated (Misdemeanors) also varies depending on which state you reside in. Finally, the topic of Express Internet Prohibition focuses on whether a state has adopted a specific law criminalizing the offering or participation in gambling offered over the Internet (Humphrey 1).
Church and Jesus:
The Roman Catholic Church does not necessarily take a stance against gambling. They have said that it becomes an unhealthy act when it becomes addicting for any individual. That addiction can lead to the loss of financial support for one's self, those who depend on one's self, and the charity and well being of a community.
Even though gambling has no bright past in the Bible, with stories such as The Prodigal Son, the church sees nothing wrong with gambling as long as it does not become destructive. “Gambling is not in itself morally wrong… [But] it is unjust and irresponsible to gamble money needed for one's support and the support of dependants. Moreover, gambling easily can become an addiction” (Champlin 58)
The church also profits very well off of gambling by having many parish's host raffle drawings or bingo nights for their parish.
Think and Conscience:
Gambling can easily become an addiction. At first, it seems like just fun, but it can easily toss people, especially young wealthy people, into a downward spiral of a debt that is nearly impossible to dig their way out of.
“For most gamblers, the fun of winning is the thing that they remember, and not the total amount they have spent on gambling over a long period of time. Their debt is much greater than the hundred dollars that was won once” (Hyde 64).
Morally, the church finds nothing wrong with gambling. I firmly believe that is only because they profit well off it. Such is the same reason why cigarettes are not an illegal drug. They are known to be harmful, but the United States profits off of them. Gambling in the same way is known to be harmful, but the church does not outlaw it, because there is no direct biblical teaching of that which would provoke it, and also, they receive a large income off its revenues.
For the same reason, gambling is legal in the United States. I feel that here in Iowa, doing away with TouchPlay is the first step. I feel that our state should do a much better job of making casinos and online gambling centers less accessible to minors to prevent young addiction, despite what tax dollars gambling may be bringing in.
Thank you for sharing!