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Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value (referred to as "the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. wageringmoneyvaluewageringmoneyvalue The event may be a sporting event such as a football or baseball game, a horse or dog race, a card game or the random selection of a lottery number. 4

The National Council on Problem Gambling is an independent organization not funded by the gaming industry. It reports: 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lifetimes (60% in any given year). About 1% are pathological gamblers (clearly addicted). Problem gamblers account for another 2 to 3%. 5

Legal gambling is available in 48 states; Hawaii and Utah are the only exceptions. 6% of Nevada adults may be problem or pathological gamblers (twice the national rate). 2% of adolescents may be problem gamblers. 10% of Nevada’s youth are considered ‘at risk’ to develop a gambling problem. 6

One of the scariest statistics is reported by the Oklahoma Association for Gambling Addiction Awareness: "A survey of Gamblers Anonymous members in the United States found that 48 percent had considered suicide and 13 percent had attempted it." 7

"Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing from something." - Wilson Mizner"Gambling: The sure way of getting nothing from something." - Wilson Mizner "The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." - Kin Hubbard"The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." - Kin Hubbard "I have lost enough money to build a casino." - Samuel Lewis; rueful 19th-century gambler"I have lost enough money to build a casino." - Samuel Lewis; rueful 19th-century gambler 8

Jack Yelton said "There is a very easy way to return from a casino with a small fortune: go there with a large one."Jack Yelton said "There is a very easy way to return from a casino with a small fortune: go there with a large one." "Gaming is the mother of lies and perjuries." - John Salisbury Bishop of Chartres (1175)"Gaming is the mother of lies and perjuries." - John Salisbury Bishop of Chartres (1175) A Proverb - "In a bet there is a fool and a thief."A Proverb - "In a bet there is a fool and a thief." 9

"Gambling is a vicious evil, it corrupts our youth and blights the lives of adults. It becomes the spring-board for other crimes - embezzlement, robbery, even murder." - J. Edgar Hoover"Gambling is a vicious evil, it corrupts our youth and blights the lives of adults. It becomes the spring-board for other crimes - embezzlement, robbery, even murder." - J. Edgar Hoover Two writers of antiquity wrote: "…by gambling men are led to fraud, cheating, lying, perjury, theft and other enormities" - Tacitus and Marcellinus.Two writers of antiquity wrote: "…by gambling men are led to fraud, cheating, lying, perjury, theft and other enormities" - Tacitus and Marcellinus. 10

John Gates, once a multi-millionaire, advised: "Do not gamble, do not bet on cards, do not bet on horse races, do not throw dice." Gates played bridge for $1, a point and matched pennies for $1, a turn. He lost all he had and died broke in 1911.John Gates, once a multi-millionaire, advised: "Do not gamble, do not bet on cards, do not bet on horse races, do not throw dice." Gates played bridge for $1, a point and matched pennies for $1, a turn. He lost all he had and died broke in

1.Godliness with contentment precludes gambling. to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible: The insufficiency of the evidence precludes a conviction. Thus, persons who possess godliness with contentment will not gamble. 12

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 13

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 14

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 15

1.Godliness with contentment precludes gambling. 2.Putting covetousness to death precludes gambling. 16

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 17

Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 18

"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel." 19

1.Godliness with contentment precludes gambling. 2.Putting covetousness to death precludes gambling. 3.The work ethic precludes gambling. 20

"In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." 21

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 22

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 23

"Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me." 24

1.Godliness with contentment precludes gambling. 2.Putting covetousness to death precludes gambling. 3.The work ethic precludes gambling. 4.Loving your neighbor precludes gambling. 25

Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." 26

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. 27

"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 28

1.Godliness with contentment precludes gambling. 2.Putting covetousness to death precludes gambling. 3.The work ethic precludes gambling. 4.Loving your neighbor precludes gambling. 5.Gambling involves too great a risk. 29

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 30

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." 31

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 32