Responding to the epidemic of online, sports gambling
By Jason Thacker
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
In recent years, there has been an explosion of online gambling, especially related to sports. Whether professional sports like football, soccer and basketball, or collegiate sports including the current NCAA basketball tournaments, many of us are inundated with countless advertisements about making a quick buck or even betting on our team to win it all.
About 30 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, currently allow sports gambling either online or in person, which means more than 30% of the population is able to legally bet on March Madness or other sporting events, across sports.
These deceptive schemes or forms of entertainment can ruin someone’s life quickly, particularly those who may be prone to addictions or destructive behavior. They can be devastating and predatory.
But how did this explosion in online sports betting become so widespread, and what is the human toll? And how does the Church begin to navigate these complex ethical issues plaguing our communities?
Gambling has become an epidemic around the world in recent decades. But it is not a new phenomenon or simply related to sports, as this form of entertainment (and addiction) has long been a part of our culture in the U.S. Due to the digital age, the means have become easier in recent years, and gambling addictions can be assumed to be prominent in our communities.
This is true for about 1–3% of our country’s population, which brings the total of those dealing with serious gambling addictions to more than 10 million people.
Large revenue
According to Forbes, gambling accounts for about $53 billion of revenue in the U.S. alone, with more than $4 million in sports-related gambling revenue in 2021.
It isn’t hard to see the devastating effects of gambling in our communities. Whether it’s a neighbor getting $5 on pump 2 and $10 worth of scratch-offs or intoxicated casinogoers racking up major tabs with the hopes of striking it big, the house always wins by design.
It’s clear that gambling is an extremely attractive venture for many as it can bring in desired tax revenue for local governments and be a lucrative business venture. But if the chances of winning were high enough for most to win, then gambling wouldn’t be such a profitable business model.
Online gambling companies, especially those connected to sports, know they will draw a major profit. Business leaders will never willingly put themselves at risk of financial loss even if the public suffers as a result of their business.
Given the ubiquity of sports betting in our digital society, it is likely that you or someone you know well is gambling or is struggling with addictive behavior. In light of the addictive and predatory nature of gambling, how should the Church respond to this growing epidemic in light of the biblical ethic?
The Christian ethic reminds us of some core truths to apply in conversations about gambling and addiction.
First and foremost, we are each called to live righteous and God-honoring lives, knowing that everything we have is from God Himself (1 Cor. 4:7). Among Christians, it can be tempting to simply give God “His portion” of our income and fail to see that all the rest is a gift from God too.
We are called to wisely steward these gifts as we seek to love God and love our neighbor (Mark 12:29–31). This all comes down to the perennial question of ethics: Just because we can do something, does that mean we should?
Stewardship question
It may be one thing to participate in a company tournament raffle or to have a friendly wager between friends, but online gambling and app-based sports betting is different and can lead someone to become flippant about their stewardship of God’s provisions.
Gambling can lead to a person’s sacrificing necessities in the hopes of winning big.
Another angle to gambling not often discussed are the social effects of our sin, greed and pride. Gambling is a predatory practice — exploiting some for the benefit of others. Online gambling is designed to line the pockets of the company rather than to promote the common good rooted in the dignity of all people.
Gambling also leads to other social ills, including the breakdown of families, other highly addictive behaviors, loss of homes and jobs and extreme financial peril.
Gambling, including the meteoric rise of sports betting, often leads to encouraging vice in our society rather than virtuous and wise behaviors.
It is important for the Church to remember that all policies, laws and practices are inherently moral by nature as they encourage or discourage certain behaviors.
As many in our communities are lured in by the delusions of quick cash, massive payouts and a long list of ‘what-ifs,’ the Church must be ready to care for and love those who are seeking to break these addictions.
Far from being an isolated and simple issue, gambling has unfortunately become a mainstay in our society, especially in this digital age.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jason Thacker serves as chair of research in technology ethics and leads the ERLC Research Institute. This article originally appeared at erlc.com and is edited for space. The Alabama Legislature is currently considering bills that would legalize several forms of gambling, including online and sports betting, in the state.
Use your gifts mix for His glory
Often in the church and in other organizations we recruit to fill an empty slot with any warm body, the first warm body to say yes. That is all we are looking for. Slot filled — we move on.
This can be detrimental to the individual recruited and is almost always detrimental to the church or organization.
Every person has natural abilities and special giftings that when put to use in the proper settings will produce quality results and effective production of effort.
Believers in Christ receive what are known as spiritual gifts. Before you were born, God knitted you together so your spiritual gifts, natural abilities and giftings all work together with your personality to accomplish great things.
Along with these, God also gives each person a passion. Your passion will always compliment your other gifting attributes. Your God-given passion will always point to the areas in which you are gifted.
As a born-again believer your gift mix is not about you, but about the Savior you represent. Every person’s gift mix is to be used to shine the light on the Creator of the universe.
When properly utilized the way God knit you together in your mother’s womb, your gifting will draw people to understand who God is and to be drawn to Him.
Have you made the connection between your personality, spiritual gifts and your natural God-given abilities?
Have you attempted to connect them to your passions?
What is your next step in discovering how God expects you to use your special gift mix for His glory?
George Yates, Church health strategist
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
I see the military as my missions field, and I want to make the most of that.
Michael Wenzel
University of Mobile senior and recipient of the prestigious national ROTC George C. Marshall Award
“Leadership begins with listening. People are entrusted to our care, and we must assure them we hear them. … Listening transforms, and we must develop empathy for others. … We listen for their losses and longings. Rather than responding with, ‘Yeah, but … ’ we ought to respond with, ‘Tell me more.’ We listen with grace and without judgment,” said Scott Cormode, Hugh De Pree associate professor of leadership development at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, speaking at a seminar hosted by the Center for Congregational Resources of Samford University in Birmingham.
“When we’re talking about evangelism, … it’s not a hard conversation. Just do it because it’s who we are,” said Blake Newsom, director of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Caskey Center for Church Excellence. “We are people who have embraced the gospel.”
Navigating the current technology and social media landscape as a parent, let alone as a Christian parent, is daunting. On one hand, outright banning all social media activity can unintentionally ostracize your child from his or her peers. On the other hand, there is plenty of evidence to show that social media can easily hurt young people.
In the face of the fear and difficulty that comes with parenting amid such tension, we parents must run to the Scriptures and cling to our God, who says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God is with us as we love our children and do all we can to lead them in the ways they should go. We must lean on Him for our strength and our hope.
Chris Martin, author
“Terms of Service: The Real Cost of Social Media”
“Sometimes when we’re listening and not talking, when we’re asking good questions, what I’ve found is that God will open a door,” said J.J. Washington, evangelism catalyst with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
From the Twitterverse
@RobertAtCCC
Good Morning! Press on and stand firm. These days there is much evil cast around us, but LOVE wrote the play!
#JesusLovesYou #MakeDisciples
@StephenRummage
Preacher: If your expository sermon doesn’t have a clear main idea expressed in a short simple sentence, then you don’t really know what your sermon is about. If you are unsure, your listeners won’t have a clue. Write that sentence!
@peterlinkjr
The faithful, prayerful study of the whole Bible and the proclaiming of its message remain the priorities of one who seeks the mind of God.
@Bellevuepastor
Lots of beaten up, broken, burdened, bewildered lead pastors out there. The past two years have been very difficult. Pray for your pastor and his family.
@the_mike_lee_
Baptizing a little girl today who said “I just want to tell the whole world about Jesus!” How fantastic!!
@shane_pruitt78
One of the most unloving things you can do is stay silent about Jesus.
@PaulTripp
You will never find yourself in a place where God doesn’t rule.
@JackieHillPerry
I know why some people don’t believe in God. Because they never thought about who made the earth. If they did, they’d start believing. — Eden (my 7-year-old daughter)
@CatherineRenfro
Ministry is a marathon. On the day to day, you may wonder if what you’re doing matters; but what a joy to see years down the road those you invested in now serving in full-time ministry & living life on mission!
Keep pouring into others. It matters #JesusChangesEverything
@TAndrewBrown
Preachers should be regular students of preaching. Regular exposure to books on preaching and other preachers will carry your ministry of proclamation far down the fruitful path of faithfulness.
@JonTyson
I’m often amazed at how the people throwing the strongest critiques at others are often so fragile and defensive when critiqued themselves. Lord grant us a non-defensive spirit.
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