Originally posted by vermae:
Will someone please tell me if gambling is a sin.
Isn't this the 30th or so thread this year on the topic?
Gambling
can be a sin, and it often is, but it is not always a sin.
If you have saved a portion of your income for liesure/vacationing, and part of that includes gambling, then it is probably not a sin. If you are gambling for primarily liesure, and not for the primary purpose of financial gain, then it is probably not a sin.
If, however, you are gambling primarily for financial gain, then is a sin. If gambling results in your financial responsibilities not being met, then it's a sin. If you are preoccupied with the thought of winning at gambling, it's probably a sin.
Each person needs to be honest with him/herself about it. We sometimes get in trouble with things like gambling, eating, drinking entertaining, etc, because we're not honest with ourselves. As soon as something is abused, it becomes a sin.
That said, the Mrs and I plan on going to Vegas this November, and hitting up the Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek: The Experience (they have added a backstage tour that we'll be going on). While I'm there, I'll probably play some $2 blackjack. I'll probably spend $20 and call it quits ($20 can last two hours or more). I don't play for the gain, I play because it's an enjoyable card game.