“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap... For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
—1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV)

It didn’t start with a plan to sin. It started with two dollars, flashing lights, and the sound of a machine spitting out $600. For Laura and her husband, that moment of excitement in a bar sparked a 13-year gambling addiction, one that would drown her in debt, depression, and suicidal thoughts. At first, the pokies were fun. Then they became an escape. And then, they became a master.

“This addiction is very deceptive,” she confessed. “It seems harmless on the surface. But before you know it, you’ve gone past the point of no return.”

Today, Laura is free; delivered, redeemed, and transformed by the grace of God. But her story isn’t rare. Across the world, gambling has crept silently into the lives of many, including believers disguised as entertainment, justified as harmless, and normalized by culture.

This raises a difficult but necessary question: Is betting a sin in Christianity?
Not just from a moral angle, but from the standpoint of Scripture, stewardship, and spiritual health. Let’s take a closer look.

 What Does the Bible Show Us?

The Bible does not use the word “betting” or “gambling,” but it does offer clear moral principles that help us evaluate these practices through a biblical lens. While some argue that betting isn't directly condemned, Scripture is not silent on the motives, consequences, and spiritual posture that often accompany it.

1. The Love of Money and Covetousness

At the heart of most gambling is the desire for quick wealth. Scripture consistently warns against this desire:

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap... For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
—1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV)

Betting often appeals to greed and discontentment—an eagerness to gain without work or wisdom. In contrast, the Bible upholds diligence, contentment, and trust in God’s provision (see Proverbs 13:11, Hebrews 13:5).

2. Stewardship vs. Risking God’s Resources

Believers are called to be stewards of what God has entrusted to them:

“It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.”
—1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV)

Gambling places what we have at risk for gain, often without responsible judgment. This clashes with the biblical view of stewardship, where finances are to be managed with prayerful wisdom, generosity, and a long-term kingdom perspective (Luke 16:10–12).

3. Casting Lots vs. Modern Gambling

Some point to casting lots in the Bible (e.g., Leviticus 16:8, Acts 1:26) as proof that God allows games of chance. But in every biblical instance, casting lots was used not for profit, but to seek God’s decision or assign roles without partiality. It was more akin to drawing straws with reverence and not spinning a wheel for financial gain.

Casting lots in Scripture was a sacred, prayerful act, not a profit-driven gamble.

4. Idolatry and Escape

Laura’s testimony reveals a reality many face: gambling became an escape from pain, and eventually a form of idolatry. The lights, the rush, the false hope, it replaces trust in God with a hope in chance.

“You cannot serve both God and money.”
—Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

When betting becomes a source of comfort or control, it functions as a rival god, something we look to instead of Christ. Scripture consistently calls us to cast our burdens on the Lord (Psalm 55:22), not the roulette wheel.

5. Bearing the Fruits of the Spirit

Finally, consider the fruit that gambling produces: anxiety, debt, secrecy, broken homes, addictions, and shame. These are not the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), but rather evidence of a life out of alignment with God's peace and self-control.

Is It a Sin? Biblical Discernment

For many Christians, the most common question about betting is a straightforward one: “Is it a sin?” But Scripture invites us to ask a deeper, more discerning question:
“Does this glorify God?”

While the Bible doesn’t list “betting” among named sins like theft or adultery, it does equip us with clear principles for spiritual evaluation. Sin is not only what is forbidden—it is also anything that distracts from God’s glory, damages the soul, or violates conscience.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
—1 Corinthians 10:31

Betting may be legal and socially acceptable, but legality is not the same as righteousness. A believer’s calling is not to walk the line of what is merely "allowed," but to walk in holiness, wisdom, and surrender.

Conclusion

Gambling may offer the illusion of quick gain or escape, but it ultimately leads many into bondage, not freedom. As believers, we are called to live lives of stewardship, contentment, and trust in God not in games of chance. Betting may not be explicitly listed among the sins in Scripture, but its fruit, its motives, and its impact clearly fall outside the life God calls us to.

If you’ve been delivered from a gambling addiction, we would love to hear your story. Your testimony can help others find hope and freedom. And if you’re currently struggling and need support, please don’t walk alone send us a message at [email protected]. There is grace, healing, and restoration in Christ.