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What is the Jewish view on gambling?


By Eliezer Danzinger

In the Talmud,1 the rabbis take a dim view about gambling. Besides being a risky enterprise financially, and addictive, the rabbis say that the winner is really a loser. Morally speaking that is. How so? Because the fellow with the inferior hand wasn't expecting to lose. Therefore, the loser relinquishes his money reluctantly—it's being taken from him willy-nilly, and he is getting nothing tangible in return. In simple English, it's a bit like stealing.

That's not all, though. Gambling, whether betting on horses, roulette or cards, only gives the illusion of contributing to the local economy. In the end, though, it contributes nothing of value that endures.2

Rabbi Eliezer Danzinger for Chabad.org

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FOOTNOTES
1.

Sanhedrin 24b.
2.

See also Maimonides, Laws of Plaintiffs and Defendants 2:2; Tur Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat 370; Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, 34:16.

By Eliezer Danzinger   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Rabbi Eliezer Danzinger, first content editor for KabbalaOnline.org, is the translator and editor of several important Chasidic texts. He also serves as the Jewish chaplain for York Central Hospital, and for numerous Federal prisons. Rabbi Danzinger currently resides in Toronto, Canada, with his wife, Yehudis, and their children.
All names of persons and locations or other identifying features referenced in these questions have been omitted or changed to preserve the anonymity of the questioners.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Aug 5, 2010
Gambling
People who are serious about gambling today are NOT gamblers. We call ourselves "gamers", the difference being that gamblers trust to "lady luck", whilst gamers practice their chosen games...incessantly! My game is roulette...& I practice every single day, for at least 2 hours. I bought a casino-software package, which keeps track of
your statistics. Even I didn't think it was possible -- but it showed I had a winning percentage of 100.02%! Unlike the stereotype, gamers are not wastrels. We are minor & major mathematical genuises -we HAVE to be. When going to a casino, set a win & a loss limit, and take 20 times your average bet. Pro advice-- from Frank Scoblete, a family man in NYC who makes his living writing gaming books. Everything in moderation -- except using your money to help others, and yourself, live a better life.
And don't forget to give BIG tips to hard-working casino personnel! Anything can be done in moderation OR taken to excess. Gambling is dangerous - PRACTICE!
Posted By Alexandra, Denver, Co USA

Posted: Apr 28, 2009
gambling
thank you for your answer, but i am still confused. if i buy a lottery ticket it still seam like i am gambling, please explain.
Posted By Anonymous, cincinnati, oh

Posted: Apr 7, 2009
gambling,
what if the gambling is to raise $ for a Jewish Day school?
Is it still not ok?
Posted By Anonymous, Buffalo, NY

Posted: July 8, 2008
gambling. poker
Can some one tell me if its okay to run a poker spot according to hallacha.... am i technically doing anything wrong by raking 10% of the pot or not?
Posted By Rich., brooklyn, ny

Posted: Dec 17, 2007
The question of Dreidel is a good one. Usually, the game is played with pennies that the children know are given for the purpose of the game, they are aware they will not be taking the "winnings" home. If that still leaves you uncomfortable, use other tokens instead. We have played dreidel on shabbat using the "winks" from Tiddly Winks, checkers, or other game tokens, or even dry beans. The game was just as fun without money.
Posted By Sarah Masha, W Bloomfield, MI USA
via baischabad.com

Posted: Dec 4, 2007
gambling
so what of the 'gambling' game of dreidels?? are we teaching our children to risk through gambling?
Posted By Anonymous, lafayette, la/usa

Posted: Dec 2, 2007
Amen
Amen to Rabbi Danzinger's teaching. Thank you for this incisive reminder that gambling does nothing but harm. Communities only lose - their health, their self-respect and their resources - when gambling industries (complete with advertising and PR machines) insinuate themselves into people's lives.
Posted By J.W., West Hartford, CT

Posted: Dec 2, 2007
Gambling
Is surely wrong - you gain only from anothers loss : your pleasure is his pain
Morally little better than stealing - I agree :
Posted By Aubrey , London, UK

Posted: Dec 1, 2007
wagers
Is a gentlemen's wager as bad as gambling? A wager is usually for one dollar. And usually about what is the case, am I right or are you right. It seems that a wager provides motivation to find out what the case may be. You would not call a dreidel game (which is similiar to poker) as serious as betting your paycheck on the horses. A kindly wager is a lot of fun. Anything wrong with this?
Posted By Brian D. Schuh, Cincinnati, OH, USA



 


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