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Tx3bro
Guest
Is it okay to do casually?
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
The whole point about gambling is trying to win, this means someone else will lose. I think gambling is a way of trying to fix the odds in your favour, and it would not be the best way to love our neighbours as we love our self.
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underacloud
Guest
From the catechism:
*2413 Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant. *
So no, casual gambling is not sinful per se. See it as a form of entertainment…any money you lose is money spent on a casual form of entertainment (as you would in say going to a movie)…any money gained is a bonus. Just don’t bet with money you can’t afford to lose…much the same as you wouldn’t go to the movies if you couldn’t afford it.
(of course, it also depends on the legality of gambling in your country/state/etc)
*2413 Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant. *
So no, casual gambling is not sinful per se. See it as a form of entertainment…any money you lose is money spent on a casual form of entertainment (as you would in say going to a movie)…any money gained is a bonus. Just don’t bet with money you can’t afford to lose…much the same as you wouldn’t go to the movies if you couldn’t afford it.
(of course, it also depends on the legality of gambling in your country/state/etc)
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Tarpeian_Rock
Guest
Typically the ultimate loser is the gambler themselves, and the only real ultimate winner is “the house.”
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edward_george
Guest
That would assume that in gambling, the other parties did not freely enter into the game and were some kind of pawn or being taken advantage of. By your logic, gaining a competitive advantage in any sport or game of any kind would be wrong, and thus we would have to rule out pretty much anything involving competition. Of course someone loses in gambling, and in archery matches, football, ski competitions, shot put, chess, baseball, and any other thing you can think of. That’s what competition is–someone wins, someone loses. That’s how it works.
The Church actually has this to say about gambling:
So gambling is not intrinsically wrong, just don’t let it cut into the money you need to support your family and yourself, and don’t cheat at it.
-ACEGC
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Tighty_Whitey
Guest
I bet it is!
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Tighty_Whitey
Guest
As a sometime competitive poker player, (I actually won a Texas Holdem Poker Tournament with 150 competitors at a nearby casino), I have thought about this topic and absolutely agree with the Church’s stance on this issue. Gambling is not, in and of itself intrinsically evil, and fair competition isn’t either.
It is my sentiment that gambling is a condensed or hyper-concentrated slice of life. At the heart of any game is of course chance, but also the necessity to try to make the best decision possible that is necessarily based on incomplete information.
Even at the poker table there are those instances where a player could learn that the cards they have are unquestionably the very best hand and therefore the player cannot lose. In poker this is called the “Nuts”. It is interesting that even when a player has the best hand, there are many reasons not to take complete advantage of the other players in the hand. Although such would not be improper or sinful, there could be consequences for future hands, in short, there is relationship building that occurs at the poker table.
I really enjoy poker and am grateful that I do not abuse this game. I completely understand that other are not so blessed and my prayers are with them.
It is my sentiment that gambling is a condensed or hyper-concentrated slice of life. At the heart of any game is of course chance, but also the necessity to try to make the best decision possible that is necessarily based on incomplete information.
Even at the poker table there are those instances where a player could learn that the cards they have are unquestionably the very best hand and therefore the player cannot lose. In poker this is called the “Nuts”. It is interesting that even when a player has the best hand, there are many reasons not to take complete advantage of the other players in the hand. Although such would not be improper or sinful, there could be consequences for future hands, in short, there is relationship building that occurs at the poker table.
I really enjoy poker and am grateful that I do not abuse this game. I completely understand that other are not so blessed and my prayers are with them.
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Moore11
Guest
I learned to play poker from 5 Jesuit priests in college. Never seen better bluffers in my life. Cutthroat and shrewd.
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
At what point does casual gambling become an uncontrollable addiction causing people to bet beyond their means?
The answer has to be when is too late.
The church gives good advice on gambling, very much like the UK government does on every cigarette packet, the only people who ignore this advice are the millions of addicted smokers.
I have noticed in times of recession a huge increase in the amount of gambling adverts, people are being encouraged to gamble their way out of debt. Granted the adverts say to bet sensibly, but we all know people ignore advice, sorry just being cynical.
Blessings
Eric
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
In order for you to win, 149 people had to lose, if money is involved can all these people really afford to lose, not your problem I know…
In order to take advantage of your best hand, it might encourage a person to become more ruthless and greedy, how does this fit in with the greatest commandments?.
Blessings
Eric
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Moore11
Guest
You could say that about anything at all. In sports some people are paid more the more they win. In business some people make money. Are you against all forms of gambling including starting a business or investing in a market? After all, someone has to lose…
I think it is a little scrupulous to think of everyone needing to make the same money and have the same outcome with it.
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
Are these good qualities to follow whilst striving to live by the greatest commandments?
Blessings,
Eric
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
Classic exploitation of the working man, take something people are passionate about and charge them a premium. The working man loses out simply to fund a playboy lifestyle for a few spoilt people.
Classic billionaire mentality, exploit cheap labour in the third world, over charge your customers and a few people are billionaires, job done.
Blessings,
Eric
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Moore11
Guest
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Moore11
Guest
They are holy men who consecrate the body and blood. Are you saying they are not?
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
I am not saying anything about them, I have simply highlighted the comments you made about these priests
Maybe we should go back to the original question.
Blessings
Eric
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Tighty_Whitey
Guest
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Eric_Hyom
Guest
Gambling affects the poorest people most
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