Casinos

[Lil Red]

Do you think owning/operating a casino would be a sin? You know that you are enabling gamblers to possibly gambling away their savings. And you are making a profit out of someone's misery. I'm not saying that this lessens the sin on the part of the gambler, but I'm just wondering everyone's thoughts on this.

[Paladin D]

I could be wrong, but I [b]"believe"[/b] it could be. Because a casino is all about gambling money and hoping to recieve more than you gambled (which can lead to greed), while that money can be used for much more important things.

[DominaNostra]

If gambling is legal, its not a sin, right? So, someone who owns a casino isnt sinning by owning it, right? I mean, they could be lead to sinning, but its not as if its a sin just to own it in itself, i dont think.

[Kilroy the Ninja]

[quote name='DominaNostra' date='Sep 14 2004, 10:59 AM'] If gambling is legal, its not a sin, right? So, someone who owns a casino isnt sinning by owning it, right? I mean, they could be lead to sinning, but its not as if its a sin just to own it in itself, i dont think. [/quote]
Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's not a sin. Brothels are legal in parts of Nevada, but there's definately sinning going on.

While gambling and owning a casino is not a sin, overindulging in gambling (gambling your family's savings away, being addidicted to it) and cheating gamblers (robbery) IS a sin.

The casino owners technically don't cause the sin of greed. However there is the issue of possible culpability for [i]enabling[/i] it. Ultimately though, gambling can be seen as entertainment if you can afford it. Which also means you're not putting your family at risk because of it.

[Ash Wednesday]

I'm not big on casinos, myself, but perhaps someone could operate a casino ethically if, for example, the owner posts an advisory on the dangers of gambling addiction and urges users to be responsible for the sake of themselves and their loved ones. Perhaps also not selling liquor, or, only at certain hours. Also, having limited hours.

When our small town first got a casino I thought the world was coming to an end. But it turned out to just be a small casino by the freeway, only open in the evenings, like a dinner restaurant. It doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.

[Norseman82]

Very interesting topic of discussion, as bingo has been a staple at a good number of parishes over the years. Does this make the Catholic Church the largest casino operator in the nation?

No disrespect intended, just food for thought.

[cmotherofpirl]

If the bingo is played for fun, and you aren't spending your mortgage money or monies necessary to your family, it is probably not a sin. But giving it to charity would be even better.

[Ash Wednesday]

That reminds me of some apologetics story I was reading about some guy who realized the importance of trusting God's timing over our own. I guess this guy was debating with a Baptist why the Catholic Church is biblical and the true Church, and he had the guy keenly interested in Catholicism. This apologist was so proud of himself he decided to take it a bolder step further and asked the baptist to come see his church.

So here they were at the church, and this apologist is going on about how great this church in particular was, and suddenly some parishioner comes out of two doors holding a couple of pints of beer. They happened to come to the church during "Casino night" and there were hoards of Catholics in the parish hall drinking beer and gambling...

The Catholic guy was so embarrassed by the timing of it all and realized the importance of humility, and knowing when to stop and let God take over.

[Socrates]

I really can't see much moral good coming out of casinos and serious gambling.

[Kilroy the Ninja]

Probably not much moral good no, but they can be entertaining. Within reason. There's nothing wrong with them in moderation. Just don't be a glutton about it.

[Briguy]

I'm glad Bingo was brought up because Catholc Church Bingo is huge in the midwest. You can't say that Bingo is OK and a casino is wrong. Either gambling away ones money is OK or it is not and I think that is an individual choice. To me, it is wrong but I would not point a finger at someone who does. What I will say is that it is not pointing the unsaved to Jesus. Catholic Bingo halls draw many many unsaved people to them and when the people leave the church hall they not only are not taking Jesus home with them they are taking less of their money. The sad people who lose their money are giving money to a church and getting nothing back from the church at all. I think that is the tragic thing here because the church should be an outreach to the unsaved and not be willing to take money from them, even if they so choose to give it. Thanks for letting me ramble. I hope my post doesn't end this thread like my posts ended the last two threads I posted on. We will see. BTW, at summer festivals I have seen other gambling (lottery type) and hard booze given away as prizes. I just can't believe that is pleasing to God, but that is just my opinion. I am not anti-having a drink, I think places where we worship should not be party to gambling and giving away alcohol.

In Love and Truth,
Brian