One of the great issues of our time is gambling-related harms. Whilst there is no direct biblical command not to gamble, it is far from silent on the topic. In fact, gambling can often lead to or exacerbate traits we are clearly instructed and warned to steer away from, such as greed, the love of money, and selfishness.
For nearly 2 million people across the UK, it is a real problem. That’s how many are at risk of becoming ‘problem gamblers’. There are also 395,000 adults who are already addicted across the UK. With the explosive growth of online gambling, these numbers seem only set to increase.
Public health risk
It was only a few years ago that gambling addiction became a recognised public health risk. More recent times have brought a growing awareness of the damage gambling addiction is doing. The spotlight has routinely been shone on the gambling industry, but the simple reality is that the betting industry is too large and prosperous to care much about the interests of vulnerable customers.
The idol of autonomy in the West
If I asked you to name one of the great cultural idols of the secular Western world, what would you …