Gambling is a common recreational activity in most countries and involves placing a wager on an event with a fixed and uncertain outcome. It can involve placing a wager on a team in a football match, or buying a scratchcard. The money wagered is matched to ‘odds’ – for example 5/1 or 2/1, which indicate how much the person would get if they won.
Many people have the misconception that gambling is low risk and high reward, despite the fact that the odds always favor the house. The media reinforces this myth by portraying gambling as fun, sexy and glamorous. For some individuals, gambling is an escape from their problems or boredom. This is a dangerous lie because long-term problem gambling can cause serious consequences for the gambler and their significant others.
The Bible warns against gambling because it appeals to greed and covetousness. It also glorifies luck and superstition, and denies God’s sovereignty over life (Job 42:2, Romans 11:36, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 3:5).
Despite the widespread popularity of gambling, few studies have examined its social and economic impacts. Most studies have focused on monetary costs and benefits, but these ignore intangible harms to a person’s quality of life, which may be as severe as a financial loss. By focusing on a health-related quality of life measure, such as disability weights, these harmful effects can be quantified. This can help policymakers make informed decisions about gambling policies.