A Risky Trend in State-Endorsed Gambling
As an avid football enthusiast, I was both surprised and dismayed by the surge of legalized gambling advertisements during this year’s NFL playoffs. With celebrated figures from the Manning family lending their names to online wagering promotions, it’s clear that the sport’s longstanding stance has undergone a dramatic change.
Many of us remember when legends like Paul Hornung and Alex Karras faced severe penalties for their involvement in betting and their associations with gamblers. It is astonishing to see the NFL, once vehemently opposed to any ties with gambling, now fully embracing it.
From its inception, the league was cautious, fearing that close ties to gambling could lead to corruption and game-fixing—similar to how the infamous Black Sox scandal once sullied the reputation of baseball.
A Dramatic Shift in Attitudes
Not long ago, NFL legal representatives argued that sports betting would undermine the league’s long-term relationship with its fans and harm the sport’s public image. So, what prompted this dramatic reversal? In 2018, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down a federal law that banned state-approved sports wagering.
In the wake of that ruling, more than 30 states now permit betting on sports, with additional states—even California—poised to join the trend. Influential figures such as prominent NFL team owners have made early investments in betting enterprises, while many franchises have rushed into sponsorship agreements with gambling companies—deals that would have been unthinkable before 2018.
The Perils of a Growing Addiction
The expansion of legal wagering raises serious concerns. Gambling addiction is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing problems in the United States, with people now able to place bets on sporting events effortlessly from their smartphones in the comfort of their homes.
Studies have linked gambling addiction to a host of personal and social issues, including increased rates of divorce, substance abuse, job loss, and even crimes like theft. In recent years, research has shown that the number of individuals forced to borrow money to cover gambling-related debts has surged dramatically. Furthermore, those who wager on sports appear to be at twice the risk of developing serious gambling problems compared to the average gambler.
Gambling, by its very nature, does not create new wealth; it simply redistributes money from one person to another. This setup violates key moral precepts, conflicting with the ideas of not stealing or coveting and, when it spirals into an addiction, falls into the trap of idolatry. It fundamentally contradicts the principle of caring for one’s neighbor.
A Misguided Role for Government
Another often overlooked dimension is how state-sponsored gambling distorts the role of government. According to biblical principles, government is meant to uphold justice by punishing wrongdoing and rewarding righteousness—not to serve as a bookmaker for public revenue.
When governments promote and profit from gambling, they diminish their integrity by aligning with practices that exploit the vulnerable. Research consistently shows that state-backed gambling initiatives disproportionately affect economically disadvantaged communities, with lower-income areas experiencing more than double the risk of problem gambling compared to wealthier neighborhoods.
This approach is not only ethically questionable but also counterproductive from a public policy standpoint. Despite these concerns, many state officials prioritize the generation of tax revenue over the long-term welfare of their constituents. I recall discussions during my time working in Texas when some legislators insensitively remarked that if individuals choose to engage in risky behavior, it benefits everyone by keeping taxes low.
While personal accountability is important, it is hard to imagine that divine favor would extend to governments that encourage such self-destructive habits.
The Growing Tsunami of Gambling
The escalation of legal gambling is reaching flood levels. For instance, legal bets on a major college football bowl increased by 35% in one year. In one pioneering state, billions of dollars were wagered, averaging around $1,200 per resident. One can only wonder what the impact will be when every state offers sports betting at the touch of a button on our cell phones.
This trend jeopardizes families and threatens the very integrity of sports such as football, baseball, and basketball. History teaches that as gambling revenues swell, corruption becomes an inevitable risk—not only in sports but also in government.
The Insidious Spread of Corruption
Gambling’s corrosive influence can permeate all facets of society. I recall an incident involving a church that operated a state lottery. When a church leader won a substantial sum, he wished to donate a portion to fund new stained-glass windows for the sanctuary. The pastor, however, decried the money as “ill-gotten gains” and insisted that the church leader confess his wrongdoing. Despite these objections, the church accepted the funds, leading to internal strife and a lasting decline in its well-being, even as the former pastor found success elsewhere.
If we do not reconsider our path, we may one day deeply regret the decision to turn government into a facilitator of gambling—a move that risks both moral and societal decay.
A Personal Exception
In all honesty, my personal record includes just one formal wager. Back in January 1969, while a senior at Princeton, I engaged in a spirited debate about an upcoming championship game between a heavily favored team and its underdog opponent. As an ardent supporter of the underdog, I boldly predicted their victory. Encouraged by my peers, I placed a small bet on the outcome—a decision born out of youthful impulsiveness and one I have never repeated.
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