Is Gambling a Sin in Catholicism?

There are several activities we partake in, and we are unsure if we are committing a mortal or venial sin; one such activity is gambling. With the rise of several licensed online casinos and ongoing gaming legalizations in Canada (CA) and several countries, gambling has become a favorite pastime for individuals. Some Catholics view gambling as a mere source of entertainment; even a few parishes hold bingo nights to raise funds for the church. 

Others view gambling or playing at a licensed casino as a morally depraved act. However, the catholic church does not consider the act of gambling in itself wrong. In this article, we go into detail about the catholic church’s views on the morality of gambling. Keep reading to gain a thorough understanding of the church’s spiritual and ethical considerations regarding the act of gambling.

What is Gambling? 

Gambling is the act of partaking in a game and risking valuable items like money, jewelry, etc., with the intent of winning something of greater value in return. Gambling is divided into two categories: games of chance and games of skills. 

Games of chance are unpredictable and determined by randomness and luck. Some examples of games of chance you can play at Canadian casinos, such as Slots City, include: 

• Slot machines,
• Roulette,
• Bingo,
• Lotteries.

Meanwhile, games of skill require an in-depth understanding of the game rules, expertise, and strategies. Examples of Skill-based gambling games at SlotsCity casino in Canada include;

• Poker,
• Blackjack,
• Baccarat,
• Craps.

Catholic Church Views on Gambling 

In the Catechism of the catholic church, paragraph 2413 addresses games of chance, which is a form of gambling. Paragraph 2413 is located in Article 7, The Seventh Commandment, under the section «Respect for Persons and Their Goods». The paragraph states that: 

«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».

Interpretation of Paragraph 2413 Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catholic church maintains the stance that betting at Canadian casinos like Slots City and Games of Chance is not inherently a sin. So, you are not committing a sin when you play casino online games real money or place bets on sports. However, gambling becomes morally wrong and unacceptable when certain factors are involved, such as:

• When the person develops a passion for gambling and becomes addicted to it. Signs of a gambling addiction/enslavement go beyond losing huge sums of money at the casino. It is also when an individual cannot say no to gambling despite its negative impacts on their life and relationships with loved ones. 

They will spend excessive time gambling, neglect their roles, display abusive behaviors, and even lie to get money to gamble on games of chance or skills. When they no longer have the means to fund their gambling addiction, they may violate the eighth commandment, «Thou shalt not steal».

• When it deprives an individual of their ability to cater to their needs and those dependent on them. The person himself gambles away their source of income or family wealth to the point they can no longer take up their responsibility at home. 

As a result, their family is left struggling to meet their basic needs. Gambling becomes morally wrong when it is no longer a mere source of entertainment and is driven by the vice of selfishness and greed. 

• When a person cheats at gambling games and makes unfair bets. The church considers such acts as a grave matter unless the harm caused is so small that the person affected doesn’t consider it a serious wrongdoing. 

Final Thoughts 

In Catholicism, gambling is not considered inherently sinful. It is the actions a person may take after becoming passionate or enslaved by gambling that are considered morally unacceptable. The Catholic Church teaches that individuals should gamble with moderation and self-control and not with a spirit of greed or desperation. 

One must always keep one’s emotions and passion under control and only engage in gambling activities with a strict adherence to virtue. The greater sin would be letting gambling become an addiction that consumes one’s resources and distracts from more important and spiritual obligations.