Addiction — Blog — Long Hill Baptist Church, Trumbull, CT

Addiction

Why Gambling Is a Problem and How to Overcome It

By Pastor R. Hammond, Long Hill Baptist Church, Trumbull, CT
Originally published 2017. Updated March 2025.

This article is offered with love and compassion toward those who are struggling with this issue. There is hope. Please contact us if you would like help.

Gambling is more than just a pastime—it is a destructive habit that traps many in financial ruin, emotional distress, and spiritual bondage. In 2024 alone, Americans legally wagered $147.91 billion on sports, with over 95% of these bets placed online. A staggering 68% of online sports bettors and 81% of online slot players exhibited at least one sign of problem gambling. (FDU Poll, 2024).

This article will outline:

  1. Why gambling is a problem

  2. How believers can escape the temptation of gambling

Why Gambling Is a Problem

1. The Odds Are Against You

Many who gamble believe they will eventually win, but the statistics prove otherwise. Consider the odds for just a few common forms of gambling:

  • Connecticut Lotto Jackpot – 1 in 7,059,052

  • Winning just $2,000 – 1 in 30,961

  • Winning $50 – 1 in 669

  • Winning only $2 – 1 in 42

  • Powerball Jackpot – 1 in 292,201,338

Clearly, gambling is a losing game. Yet many persist, hoping for a lucky break—often at great personal and financial cost.

2. The Social and Economic Costs of Gambling

Studies have linked problem gambling to increased crime rates, higher rates of domestic violence, child neglect, and financial distress.

  • Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the presence of casinos in a community is associated with an increase in bankruptcy rates, crime, and financial instability (NBER, 2022).

  • Additionally, gambling addiction is often associated with higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and even suicide, as individuals struggle to cope with mounting losses and debt (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).

  • The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that for every pathological gambler, at least 8–10 other people, including family members and colleagues, suffer from financial and emotional distress (NCPG, 2024).

    These issues underscore the reality that gambling is not a victimless activity but one that inflicts deep and lasting harm on society.

3. Gambling is Unbiblical. Some argue, “The Bible doesn’t explicitly forbid gambling.” But this reasoning is flawed—Scripture also doesn’t mention heroin or cocaine, yet we know abusing these substances violates biblical principles. Likewise, gambling contradicts several foundational biblical truths.

Here are nine biblical principles that reveal why gambling is wrong:

1. Gambling Is Addictive and Enslaving

Gambling often leads to addiction, directly contradicting the Bible’s command to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

  • Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12 – All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

2. Gambling Involves Poor Stewardship of God’s Provision

God entrusts us with resources, expecting us to use them wisely—not waste them on chance.

  • Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

  • Matthew 25:14-30 – The parable of the talents teaches us to invest wisely, not squander God’s blessings.

3. Gambling Reflects a Lack of Trust in God

Gamblers put their faith in luck rather than God’s provision.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God…

  • Matthew 6:25-33 – Jesus teaches us to trust in God, not wealth.

4. Gambling Is Often Driven by Discontentment

At its core, gambling often stems from dissatisfaction with what God has provided.

  • Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…

  • Philippians 4:11 – I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

5. Gambling Can Become an Idol

If money and risk-taking consume our thoughts, they take the place of God in our lives.

  • Matthew 6:24 – Ye cannot serve God and mammon (wealth).

6. Gambling Reflects A Wrong Love

The Bible warns against loving money more than God.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all evil…

7. Gambling Is Rooted in Greed

The Bible warns of the misery greed brings.

  • Proverbs 15:27 – He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house…

  • Ecclesiastes 5:10 – He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver…

8. Gambling Encourages Covetousness

Wanting what others have—or seeking easy wealth—violates God’s commands.

  • Exodus 20:17 – Thou shalt not covet…

  • Luke 12:15 – Beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

9. Gambling Is Associated with Other Sins

Casinos and gambling environments often promote immorality, drinking, and other sinful behavior.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Abstain from all appearance of evil.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

How to Overcome the Temptation to Gamble

God’s Word offers clear solutions for those struggling with gambling.

1. Trust Christ as Your Savior

True victory over sin begins with salvation. Learn more.

  • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

  • 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Ask Christ for Strengh to Forsake Gambling and Choose Righteousness

  • John 8:11 – Go, and sin no more.

  • Romans 6:1-2 – Shall we continue in sin…? God forbid!

3. Avoid Temptation

  • Romans 13:14 – Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

4. Seek Accountability

  • Hebrews 13:17 – Obey them that have the rule over you…

  • James 5:16 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another…

5. Stay Active in Church

  • Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…

6. Strengthen Your Walk with God

Daily prayer and Bible study keep us strong against temptation.

  • Psalm 55:17 – Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray…

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God…

7. Replace Gambling with Godly Pursuits

  • Ephesians 4:22-24 – Put off…the old man…and put on the new man…

Final Thoughts

Gambling is not just a financial issue—it is a spiritual battle. But through Christ, victory is possible.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." – James 4:7

Would you like additional help in overcoming gambling? Contact us today!

Should Christians Drink Alchohol?

Pastor Robert Hammond

Some Christians argue that the Bible does not teach against drinking so long as we avoid intoxication. Let’s examine some biblical reasons why Christians should not drink alcohol.

  1. We are called to yield control to the Holy Spirit rather than to alcohol. Ephesians 5:18 states, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." That verse highlights the truth that God desires Christians to yield control of their lives to Him alone;

  2. The Bible explicitly states that drinking is unwise. Proverbs 20:1 states, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

  3. The Bible states that drunkenness is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the Bible lists drunkenness among sins that condemn the lost to hell: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." The best way to avoid being a drunkard is to avoid drinking alcohol!

  4. The Bible reveals that wine causes spiritual harm. In Hosea 4:11, the Lord reveals that “Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” One Bible commentator explains that, in the Bible, the heart pictures both our understanding and our affections. Here, we are warned that alcohol tends to both pervert our understanding and cause our affections to turn away from Godly things.

  5. The Lord calls us to demonstrate love to others. In 1 John 4:7, we read, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God." Engaging in behaviors such as smoking or drinking around others is arguably unloving, as it has potential to encourage them to partake in something that is physically and spiritually dangerous.

  6. The Bible commands us to refrain from even looking upon alcoholic wine. In Proverbs 23:31-32, the Lord commands, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." The language of this verse seems to allude to the fermentation process that produces alcohol. That process causes the color of grape juice to change. And it releases carbon dioxide bubbles that cause the wine to “move.”

In summary, we observe that the Bible teaches that drinking is unwise. Drinking leads to intoxication, which is inherently sinful — and necessarily involves yielding control to a substance rather than to the Spirit. Further, alcohol tends to cause our hearts to turn to ungodly thoughts and actions. Lastly, drinking in the presence of others is arguably unloving — as it may encourage others to engage in a practice that is contrary to the words of God. Lord, give us grace to abstain — for your honor and glory.

If you are struggling with alcohol, consider these suggestions:

  1. Pray and confess the sin;

  2. Ask God for strength to stop drinking. And ask him to help you seek comfort from him. Praise God for his grace and comfort!

  3. Get support from your pastor or someone else in your church.

If your’re not certain that you know Christ as your Savior, please learn more here.

Related Articles:

Is it OK for Christians to Vape or Smoke?

Pastor Robert Hammond

vape.jpg

This short article discusses biblical principles that apply to the use of nicotine, together with practical help for people who desire to stop using nicotine.

Many have concluded that it’s ok for Christians to smoke or vape because the Bible doesn’t directly address this topic. However, the Bible does teach a variety of principles that should inform our decision.

First, we are called to yield control to the Holy Spirit rather than to allow ourselves to be controlled by a chemical substance. This is precisely the point of Ephesisan 5:18, where the Lord commands, “…be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” The point of that verse is that God desires us to yield control of our lives to him alone. When we yield control to alcohol or nicotine, we necessarily cease yielding ourselves to God — especially in the case of addiction to alcohol or nicotine (or any other substance).

Second, we are called to demonstrate love to other Christians. In 1 John 4:7, the Lord commands us to “…love one another: for love is of God…” Smoking or vaping around others is unloving for several reasons: (1) It may be an annoyance to others; (2) it may encourage others to smoke or vape and (3) exposure to second-hand smoke has been shown to be dangerous to others.

Third, Christians do well to consider that the Lord has provided our bodies for his purposes. (Revelation 4:11). We should work to remain healthy so that we may continue to serve God. Further, Christians should consider that our bodies our indwelt by the Holy Spirit. in 1 Corinthians 6:19, the Lord asks, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

Last, it is also worth noting that the cost of vaping or smoking can impede our desire to be good stewards of our finances.

In conclusion, Christians should refrain from smoking or vaping in order to (1) demonstrate love to others, (2) to avoid addiction — which necessarily involves yielding control to something other than God and (3) to be good stewards of our finances and our physical bodies so that we may serve God as long as he desires.

If you are already addicted to nicotine or any other substance, consider these suggestions:

  1. Pray and confess the sin;

  2. Ask God for grace to stop using the substance. And ask him to help you seek comfort from him;

  3. Get support from your pastor or someone else in your church. In addition, ask your doctor about programs to help manage the physical aspect of the addiction. In the case of smoking or vaping, this may include using a nicotine patch for a short time to help wean your body off nicotine.

Praise God for his grace and comfort!

If your’re not certain that you know Christ as your Savior, please learn more here.

Copyright © 2020 Robert W. Hammond.