Why is gambling considered "bad"?

revots33 · #1 02-01-2007, 10:27 AM

I was doing some research into pathlogical gambling and came across this passage (from "Pathological gambling: Etiology, comorbidity, and treatment." by Nancy M. Petry):

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One can also consider gambling from a socioliological perspective. For example, a squirrel might expend energy gathering nuts and storing them in a nest for the winter. These nuts may then become available for consumption during leaner times, when they are of much greater value to the squirrel. However, in expending the energy to gather the nuts and not eating them on the spot, the squirrel is, in essence, risking the possibility that another animal will find and confiscate the stored food or that a natural event, such as a flood or storm, will sweep it away. Similarly, a coyote in the wild must make a decision when it encounters a group of rabbits. It can go after a young bunny, which will be easy to catch and almost ensure a small meal, or it can risk not getting any food at all and chase the larger rabbit, which offers the possibility of a larger, more satiating meal. Thus, all species must make choices that are guided by probabilistic outcomes. The concept of gambling appears to be a basic aspect of life.

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This passage reinforced what I've always thought: life is a risk. Getting in your car and driving to work is a risk. Investing money in the stock market is a risk. Buying a home is a risk.

So why the moral outrage against games of chance? And why do religious groups in general seem to have such a problem with it? It can't simply be that "some people get addicted", because this is true of eating, surfing the internet, shopping, and just about anything else. Gambling, IMO, is not simply frowned upon because of those who become addicted. The activity ITSELF is frowned upon by many religious types, even as a recreation or as a way to earn income.

If life is inherently a process of juggling risks vs. rewards, why is gambling the target of prohibition efforts? What is the moral problem with gambling?

Joerii · #2 02-01-2007, 11:11 AM

Good question !

I think to a lot of people, gambling is a sign of weakness. A chance to make easy money without "working" for it, and naive because you allways lose in the longrun.

I think relegious groups are against it because there just isn't any virtue in it. Nobody gets any better from it, only the people that own the gambling facility. It's a very selfcentered thing.

The squirel example is wrong though. If the squirel doesn't save his nuts, he has a very real chance of dying. So it's not much of a gamble for him or her.

cbh · #3 02-01-2007, 11:12 AM

Religious motivation against it may stem from a perceived view of gamblers and their personal qualities. Being a gambler is synonymous with being a degenerate or someone who is obsessed with money to some people. Religious types may find these unredeeming qualities and - in the typical blunder of correlation implies causation fallacy - attempt to attack gambling itself.

Another reason is terrorism [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

ChrisV · #4 02-01-2007, 11:20 AM

Part of it is certainly the evil of gambling addiction. It's pretty trite to say that people get "addicted" to surfing the internet. Some people do, but vast numbers more get addicted to gambling. Plus, gambling chews up money like crazy.

The other reason is that gamblers are committing the sin of greed. There's no reason to gamble other than the desire to win a large sum of money.

pokeraz · #5 02-01-2007, 11:41 AM

Deciding to place a wager on a roulette table and deciding which 'rabbit to hunt' are clearly not relatable. Sure, both decisions involve risk, but one is voluntary and one is born out of the necessity of living. Hopefully the author of the passage is not using that paragraph to state that wagering at the roulette table is a natural consequence of life involving risks.

Gambling on games of chance can be very unhealthy for some. Just as a lot of things can be enjoyed by most but abused by others.

hashi92 · #6 02-01-2007, 01:47 PM

Its because the trully religous folk dont have the tempermant to be good at it so they try to outlaw it.

Skoob · #7 02-01-2007, 02:37 PM

It's a religous thing. If you google "is gambling a sin?" you'll get all sorts of info. In short:
1. the bible says it's wrong to love money.
2. casinos offer free alcohol to players, thus gambling = drunkeness
3. gambling "promotes" dishonesty by encouraging you to cheat in order to win (this is a stretch IMHO, but whatever...)
4. even though gambling can be used for charitable fund raising (churches sometimes have a bingo night), the proceeds are often not used for good things. In other words, any clergy who using gambling to help raise money for their church is a cheating, lying, scumbag.
5. gambling also promotes violent crime, prostitution, and other undesireable activities.

The above may or may not be true. But those are most of the claims the folks who object have.

revots33 · #8 02-01-2007, 02:47 PM

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Being a gambler is synonymous with being a degenerate or someone who is obsessed with money to some people.

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Probably but I don't understand it. How is it any different than investing in the stock market, yet I don't see the religious right trying to outlaw that. And yes people get addicted to trading stocks just as they do other forms of gambling.

And even putting your money in a savings account is a form of trying to make more money without "working for it", so if gambling = sloth then why doesn't all investing?

Skoob · #9 02-01-2007, 04:32 PM

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Probably but I don't understand it. How is it any different than investing in the stock market, yet I don't see the religious right trying to outlaw that. And yes people get addicted to trading stocks just as they do other forms of gambling.

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Just playing devil's advocate here...
The big difference with the stock market is you're buying a piece of a company. You own something until you sell it, not unlike starting your own small business. It's just that there are thousands of co-owners with you. Gambling is just a wager with only cash exchanging hands.

Playing the market a certain way can be akin to gambling, but you can also do it different and invest in a company for the long term. Gambling is always gambling, no matter what.

ojc02 · #10 02-01-2007, 04:49 PM

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Probably but I don't understand it. How is it any different than investing in the stock market, yet I don't see the religious right trying to outlaw that. And yes people get addicted to trading stocks just as they do other forms of gambling.

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Just playing devil's advocate here...
The big difference with the stock market is you're buying a piece of a company. You own something until you sell it, not unlike starting your own small business. It's just that there are thousands of co-owners with you. Gambling is just a wager with only cash exchanging hands.

Playing the market a certain way can be akin to gambling, but you can also do it different and invest in a company for the long term. Gambling is always gambling, no matter what.

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I think one big difference is that usually investing in the stock market is +EV, whereas usually gambooling is -EV. Not that I agree with the banning or regulating of gambling in any way.