Mormons Beliefs about Gambling

Mormons Beliefs about Gambling


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) has a clear-cut stance on gambling, betting, and lottery playing. Learn more about it here.

Gambling is an issue on which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is very clear: they oppose it. Members of the church, known as Mormons, are counseled to stay away from gambling of any kind. Mormons are also encouraged to join with others in opposing the legalization or government sponsorship of any form of gambling.

LDS Gambling Definition
The LDS (Mormon) church opposes both legal and illegal gambling, including lotteries, casinos, or betting on races and sports matches. They also oppose playing poker, other card games, or bingo for money.

The church broadly defines gambling as any game of chance where money is at stake, or, as President Gordon B. Hinckley said in 2005, "a process that takes money and does not offer a fair return in goods or services."


Mormon Gambling Perceptions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always spoken against gambling. Church leader Brigham Young in 1844 called gambling a "disorderly proceeding" and wished to ban it from the city of Nauvoo, which was then the headquarters of the LDS church.

Today, the LDS church's perception of gambling has remained largely unchanged. LDS leaders call gambling and betting addictive and morally destructive. President Hinckley also says that "in so many cases it leads to other destructive habits and practices. And so very many of those who become involved cannot afford the money it takes."

It is believed that the central problem behind gambling is the desire to get something for nothing (often at the expense of others,) a desire which stands at odds with the LDS church's emphasis on hard work, thrift, and unselfishness.

Gray Areas - LDS Card Games and Raffles
The LDS church's strict "no gambling" stance does not address a few scenarios which are up to an individual's judgment. For example, is card playing when no money is at stake okay? Most Mormons play cards for fun, but some may feel that it is not appropriate for them and refrain from the activity.

Raffles are never part of official LDS church activities or fundraisers because of the association with gambling, but whether individual Mormons buy raffle tickets at a charity or school fundraiser is up to them. Most Mormons don't feel any compunction against doing so, viewing their ticket price as a contribution to support the organization's mission instead of a form of gambling.