The government have announced a shortlist of 8 locations for Britain’s first Las Vegas-Style ‘Super Casino’. This is like deciding where best to plant a malignant cancer tumour so that it causes as much harm and misery as possible! A gambling advice charity reports that they received 6,563 cries for help in 2005 but in 2006 this has now already rocketed to 89,000!

Governments should of course always act responsibly for the benefit of their citizens and the National Health Service is a good example of this. However, in stark contrast, by encouraging gambling, they are establishing a National Wealth Service! This sets an attractive trap which deceives people by promising wealth and happiness but then leaves them as slaves gripped by the chains of chance and imprisoned in a dungeon of debt, despair and addiction.

It is true that we all need money but the Bible warns us that, “The LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” [ 1 Timothy 6:10 ] Money is to be earned honestly and used wisely. It is not to be abused by being recklessly staked on games of chance. Gambling focuses attention on wealth rather than work, it is therefore totally opposite to the healthy Christian ethic of conscientious work in which you, “Earn all you can, save all you can then give all you can.” Giving is the opposite to gambling and Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [ Acts 20:35 ]

Whilst Jesus was being crucified for us, the Roman soldiers gambled for His garments at the foot of the cross. All their bets were to benefit themselves in this life. But Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul.” [ Matthew 16:26 ] Don’t be fooled!