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The Methodist Church of Great Britain | Gambling

Gambling

Download Against the odds…?, a briefing paper on the gambling issues.

John Wesley said that gambling was a means of gain inconsistent with love of neighbour.

In the nineteenth century, when many people lived on the margins of poverty, an unlucky gamble could mean the difference between food and starvation – survival or the workhouse. Gambling was a spiritual issue for Methodists – a matter of good and evil.

Methodist views today

In 1992 the Church adopted a new Methodist Statement on Gambling.

It recognises that many Christians do not gamble at all for ethical reasons. However, it also says that it is important to appreciate that in society most people have more disposable income, and that many people see gambling as a ‘leisure’ activity, similar to going to the theatre or a sporting event.

Methodists remain deeply concerned that people can still get trapped by gambling. Problem gambling can destroy relationships, families – and even lives.

Individual choice and personal responsibility

Individual people will make up their own mind about whether they want to gamble, and if they do, by how much.

Some people will be happy to buy a charity raffle ticket, or play the Lottery, but would never dream of going to a bookmakers or casino.

Research has shown that there is a difference between ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ forms of gambling. ‘Soft’ gambling, such as raffles, are likely to be less addictive and cause less problems than ‘hard’ gambling, such as fruit machines.

Rules on Permitted Gambling and Fundraising

Methodist churches are now allowed to hold raffles on Methodist premises.

The amount spent on the cost of prizes must not exceed £50 - Methodist Standing Order 924.

Under the law, these raffles are classified as ‘non-commercial lotteries’,
and are subject to the following restrictions:

  • The lottery must be promoted wholly for a purpose other than private gain;
  • No rollovers are allowed;
  • Tickets may only be sold on the premises on which the event is taking place, and while the event itself is in progress.
  • The result of the lottery must be made public while the event is taking place.

The National Lottery

Methodist views on the Lottery are set out in a report to the 1999 Methodist Conference.

The Church remains concerned about under-age play, the riskiness of scratchcards and online games, and that money raised through the Lottery should not be used to fund what should be normal government expenditure, such as hospitals or schools.

The Lottery funding system now means that churches have limited options about where to apply for funding, particularly for repairs to old buildings. It was because the funding landscape had changed so much that the 1999 Methodist Conference decided to allow local churches to apply for Lottery funding if they wished.

A Methodist contribution to the national debate

In recent years the Methodist Church has been a leading voice in the Gambling debate in Britain.

We continue to liaise closely with ecumenical partners such as the Salvation Army, the Evangelical Alliance, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs and the Church of England so we can have a co-ordinated approach when dealing with Government and the industry regulator, the Gambling Commission.

During our campaign on the Gambling Bill in 2005 the Methodist Church and the Salvation Army won an award.

Against the odds…?

Against the odds…? is the name of a resource produced by the Methodist Church and the Salvation Army in September 2007.

It explains the changes brought about by the Gambling Act 2005, and offers some Christian reflections on gambling, as well as suggestions for what individuals and churches can do.

Download

Against the odds…?

Methodist Statement on Gambling - 1992

Methodist Report on the National Lottery - 1999

See also

Alcohol

Drugs and substance abuse

The Ethics of Wealth Creation

Poverty

Links

Gamcare

The Salvation Army

The Gambling Commission