The Problem with Gambling
William J. Bennett the author of The Book of Virtues has admitted to gambling. He denies he has lost $8 million, but concedes that he has gambled “large sums of money.” In his defense, he pointed out that the kind of gambling he did is legal, that he always paid taxes on his winnings, that he never put his family in danger, and that he pretty much “always broke even.” Although Bennett never addressed the morality of gambling in his books or speaking engagements, his critics charged him with the hypocrisy.
What is the problem with gambling? Isn’t gambling just taking a risk and don’t we all take risks everyday? Therefore, we all gamble, right?
As is the case with most words, the word “gamble” has several meanings. It means 1) to risk, to expose to hazard. 2) to take a risk in order to gain some advantage. 3) to play games of chance for money. 4) to speculate. Thus, in one sense of the word, everyone gambles everyday. The act of getting out of bed exposes us to hazard. It’s risky! It could be called “gambling” in the simplest sense of the term.
The ethical issue is not about the risk of everyday living. It is about playing a game of chance for money. Traditionally, Christians have vilified gambling as a sin against the Protestant work ethic. There is another issue.
In his book, Something for Nothing: Luck in America, Jackson Lear, a Rutgers history professor, looks at gambling less as a vice and more as a worldview. He calls it a “culture of chance.” He points out, “This country has always been fascinated by the ‘breaks.’ The risk-taking entrepreneur is a cultural hero; look at the day trader—they are nothing but compulsive gamblers and they become an icon of the age.” He also says, “Gamblers rarely pass by someone who is tapped out. They know how quickly things can turn. And in helping each other, they rarely ask questions, rarely ask if someone deserves the help.”
May I suggest that the problem with game gambling is worldview? While not many would question spending a few bucks on a game and all agree, even those within the gambling industry, that compulsive gambling can cause great damage to people, families, and even society, the basic issue is worldview.
Imagine Bennett, or anyone else, as the solitary, obsessed slot player standing in front of a slot machine, pulling the lever for hours and hours. What does that say about the gambler’s use of time and money, not to mention relationships. The issue is worldview, isn’t it?
While the opponents of virtues and morality delight (without moderation) in Bennett’s blunder, perhaps, before we cast stones, we should ask, “How am I spending my time and money?”
© G. Michael Cocoris, 5/15/2003
What is the problem with gambling? Isn’t gambling just taking a risk and don’t we all take risks everyday? Therefore, we all gamble, right?
As is the case with most words, the word “gamble” has several meanings. It means 1) to risk, to expose to hazard. 2) to take a risk in order to gain some advantage. 3) to play games of chance for money. 4) to speculate. Thus, in one sense of the word, everyone gambles everyday. The act of getting out of bed exposes us to hazard. It’s risky! It could be called “gambling” in the simplest sense of the term.
The ethical issue is not about the risk of everyday living. It is about playing a game of chance for money. Traditionally, Christians have vilified gambling as a sin against the Protestant work ethic. There is another issue.
In his book, Something for Nothing: Luck in America, Jackson Lear, a Rutgers history professor, looks at gambling less as a vice and more as a worldview. He calls it a “culture of chance.” He points out, “This country has always been fascinated by the ‘breaks.’ The risk-taking entrepreneur is a cultural hero; look at the day trader—they are nothing but compulsive gamblers and they become an icon of the age.” He also says, “Gamblers rarely pass by someone who is tapped out. They know how quickly things can turn. And in helping each other, they rarely ask questions, rarely ask if someone deserves the help.”
May I suggest that the problem with game gambling is worldview? While not many would question spending a few bucks on a game and all agree, even those within the gambling industry, that compulsive gambling can cause great damage to people, families, and even society, the basic issue is worldview.
Imagine Bennett, or anyone else, as the solitary, obsessed slot player standing in front of a slot machine, pulling the lever for hours and hours. What does that say about the gambler’s use of time and money, not to mention relationships. The issue is worldview, isn’t it?
While the opponents of virtues and morality delight (without moderation) in Bennett’s blunder, perhaps, before we cast stones, we should ask, “How am I spending my time and money?”
© G. Michael Cocoris, 5/15/2003
