Lottery

[Berean]

Recently with the billion and a half lottery prize that seemingly is a topic of conversation among a large segment of the American population a question has been going over and over in my mind; Which is more wrong (if any)? Buying $20 worth of lottery tickets at a convenience store or going to a casino and putting $20 on the red at a Roulette Table?
e

 

[preachinjesus]

Perhaps neither is wrong.

 

[InTheLight]

Recently with the billion and a half lottery prize that seemingly is a topic of conversation among a large segment of the American population a question has been going over and over in my mind; Which is more wrong (if any)? Buying $20 worth of lottery tickets at a convenience store or going to a casino and putting $20 on the red at a Roulette Table?
e

I don't see any difference. In either case you are relying on a game of chance to increase your money.

However the odds are better at the casino. You have a 1 in 2.1 chance of getting red. You have a 1 in 175 million odds of winning the lottery.

 

[annsni]

Honestly, I don't see the harm in once in a while dropping a couple of bucks on a lottery but the problem is when it gets beyond control. There is a guy that works with my daughters who literally spends about $1000 a week on the lottery. I'm not joking. To me, that is excessive!

 

[HeDied4U]

My ex mother-in-law, while she played the lottery occasionally, was preferential to bingo. About 4 to 5 times a week, she was at a bingo hall. My wife used to say that she would probably spend about $500 a week. Sometimes she would win, but more times than night, she came away empty handed. No wonder during the time my wife and I had together, she re-mortgaged her house twice.

 

[Rolfe]

To the lottery players here: The next time that you want to play the lottery, just give me the money. After I stow it in my pocket, I will tell you if you won or lost.

 

[InTheLight]

To the lottery players here: The next time that you want to play the lottery, just give me the money. After I stow it in my pocket, I will tell you if you won or lost.

To the people that want to go to Vegas--Just send me half your money and we'll say you broke even on the trip.

 

[Rob_BW]

When I've been around casinos, in NOLA and on a cruise once, it doesn't take much for me to get my fill. After about 20 bucks I'm ready to go look for different entertainment.

 

[evangelist6589]

Perhaps neither is wrong.

Really?

 

[Rolfe]

Really?

It would probably be a bad idea for you to play, Evan.

 

[evangelist6589]

It would probably be a bad idea for you to play, Evan.

I agree

 

[HankD]

Recently with the billion and a half lottery prize that seemingly is a topic of conversation among a large segment of the American population a question has been going over and over in my mind; Which is more wrong (if any)? Buying $20 worth of lottery tickets at a convenience store or going to a casino and putting $20 on the red at a Roulette Table?

Here in the People's Republic of WA casinos are run by native Americans.

The Lottery is run by the State and the non wining proceeds reportedly go the public school system here.

So, I suppose the lottery would be "better" in terms of proceeds but I'm sure WA State (don't know for sure) gets their cut from the 23 Washington State Native American tribes proceeds

HankD

 

[Salty]

Here in NY, the Oneida Indians have a large casino. Each year, the Oneida Nation gives a grant to each tribe member. In addition they have given interest free loans to tribe members to build houses on the Oneida Reservation.

 

[Kevin]

If you play expecting to win, then you probably should pass.

We buy tickets once in awhile, but it is more of a type of entertainment. I bought one ticket for each of the last two PowerBall drawings. I still haven't checked my last ticket to see if it won anything.

Been to the Casino in Nevada too. Always had a set amount between us to spend/lose then we did something else. Funny thing is, by the end of our last visit several years ago, we were ahead by a few dollars.

 

[The Parson]

I reckon it has to do with stewardship doesn't it? Who's money really is it that you are spending on chances?

 

[Sue-Ellen]

I don't buy lottery tickets or gamble. I work far to hard for my money to just throw it away.

 

[heisrisen]

They're both wrong. God promises to provide for us when we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. The bible says labor not to be rich because people that are, fall into a snare and many hurtful lusts. I wouldn't want to have that much money because I know I'd become selfish and probably spend way less time with God. King David wrote in Psalms that he wants to be right in the middle, just provided for. Not so poor that he's cursing God looking for bread, and not so rich that he forgets God.

 

[moneymakingdeb]

When I was a lot younger I had a similar question. The explanation I got was pretty simple for me to get on board with. Playing a game of chance like the lottery, or roulette or any other gambling is no different then if I were to blow $20 at the arcade, the movies, the fair grounds, or even bingo (easier to compare since you have a chance to win a prize). The question would be, where is the heart in this matter? Are you playing for fun or for greed? In my opinion, I do not see a huge difference in any of those examples. I am not one to say if any of it is good, or bad. Except where the heart is.

 

[HankD]

When I was a lot younger I had a similar question. The explanation I got was pretty simple for me to get on board with. Playing a game of chance like the lottery, or roulette or any other gambling is no different then if I were to blow $20 at the arcade, the movies, the fair grounds, or even bingo (easier to compare since you have a chance to win a prize). The question would be, where is the heart in this matter? Are you playing for fun or for greed? In my opinion, I do not see a huge difference in any of those examples. I am not one to say if any of it is good, or bad. Except where the heart is.

When I was in the service we would play Pinochle for 5 cents a point
It was much more entertaining and a relief of boredom (We were watch guards in the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS)) than when we played for zilch, no one ever went broke.

HankD