gambling

Gambling is seeking gain at the expense of others, solely on the basis of chance.
The Salvation Army is acutely aware of the suffering and deprivation visited upon countless thousands of persons as the result of gambling. The Army's social welfare experience indicates that many of those who gamble frequently disregard their primary responsibilities in life and bring embarrassment and hurt to those dependent on them.
It also asserts that gambling is detrimental to the spiritual and moral well-being of those who participate without any apparent financial effects on themselves or their families.
Since all gambling is motivated by selfishness, it runs counter to the Christian expression of love, respect and concern for others. Often it begins in an apparently harmless way, but its continued practice tends to undermine the personality and character of the gambler and frequently leads to grosser excesses.
Official sanction and public acceptance of this evil is, in the opinion of The Salvation Army, contrary to the Christian principles to which it subscribes and it therefore opposes any extension of the provision of facilities for gambling, whether by government agencies, charitable organizations or commercial interests.
Salvationists are required to take no part in gambling in any form and are urged to resist participation in any scheme which would give them material advantage on the basis of chance.
http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-sublinks/29BA869462B3422C80256F9A003D3C20?openDocument