$7,000,000,000 bet

Gambling is destroying the moral fabric of our society.

"O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling …are an abomination, - of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remem- brance of God, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?” The Quran, 5:90-91

 The gambling industry has grown tenfold in the U.S. since 1975  Thirty-seven states now have lotteries  15 million people display some sign of gambling addiction  Two-thirds of the adult population placed some kind of bet last year  Gambling profits in casinos are more than $30 billion while lotteries are about 17 billion annually  "Players" with household incomes under $10,000 bet nearly three times as much on lotteries as those with incomes over $50,000

 In 1973 state lotteries had $2 billion in sales. By 1997, the revenues reached $34 billion  Gambling among young people is on the increase: 42 percent of 14-year-olds, 49 percent of 15- year-olds, 63 percent of 16-year-olds, 76 percent of 18-year-olds.  There are now approximately 260 casinos on Indian reservations (in 31 states and with $6.7 billion in revenue)  Internet gambling has nearly doubled every year since In 2001 it exceed $2 billion

 After casinos opened in Atlantic City, the total number of crimes within a thirty-mile radius increased 100 percent  The average debt incurred by a male pathological gambler in the U.S. is between $55,000 and $90,000 (it is $15,000 for female gamblers)  The average rate of divorce for problem gamblers is nearly double that of non-gamblers  The suicide rate for pathological gamblers is twenty times higher than for non-gamblers (one in five attempts suicide)  Sixty-five percent of pathological gamblers commit crimes to support their gambling habit

What Is Gambling? Webster defines gambling as (1) to play a game for money or property—to bet on the uncertain outcome. World Book Dictionary says, "To play games of chance for money or other valuable stakes—to gamble at cards; to gamble on the result of a race."

What Is Gambling? The World Book Encyclopedia states: "Gamblers usually bet money or something else of value as a stake on the outcome they predict. When the outcome is settled, the winner collects the loser's stakes."

What Is Gambling? Three Elements of Gambling The Uncertain Event The Stake A Winner and Loser

What Gambling Is Not  It is not just a risk.  It is not farming or business ventures.  It is not buying and selling stock.  It is not insurance.  It is not prizes.  It is not determined by size or degree.  It is not a donation.

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why? Some say gambling is not even mentioned in the Bible, so how could it be a sin? Child Pornography Child Abuse Elder abuse Confidence schemes Rape Suicide Larceny Bootlegging Would you argue that these things are not sins?

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive. 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (NKJV)

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness. Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Romans 1:29-31 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; Verse 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. NKJV

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness.  It violates the principle of love. Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJV

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. Ephesians 4:28 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. (NKJV)

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness.  It violates the principle of love.  Gambling is accompanied by evils. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil. NKJV Matthew 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (NKJV)

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness.  It violates the principle of love.  Gambling is accompanied by evils.  It violates the legitimate transfer of money and property.  The Law of labor (Work Ethic)

Genesis 3:19 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.” NKJV Proverbs 28:19-20 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Ephesians 4:28 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. (NKJV)

2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (NKJV) Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. NKJV

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness.  It violates the principle of love.  Gambling is accompanied by evils.  It violates the legitimate transfer of money and property.  The Law of Labor (Work Ethic)  The Law of Exchange.

Acts 16:14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. (NKJV)

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling is addictive.  Gambling is covetousness.  It violates the principle of love.  Gambling is accompanied by evils.  It violates the legitimate transfer of money and property.  The Law of Labor (Work Ethic)  The Law of Exchange.  The giving of a gift.

Ephesians 4:28 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. (NKJV) Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling violates the Law of Stewardship. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. NKJV

If Gambling Is A Sin—Why?  Gambling violates the Law of Stewardship.  If it is illegal, it is a sin. Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, (NKJV)

How much you wanna bet? Will you risk your soul?