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Gambling, whether it involves games of chance (e.g. Card games), wagers or betting, or even lotteries, is not intrinsically evil (Catechism, No. However, a person may only engage in these activities with a strict adherence to virtue. When Bill Bennett, author of books such as The Book of Virtues decided to quit casino gambling, religious leaders were quick to applaud the news and to offer support and prayers for the morality. Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches. What’s wrong with gambling? Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily 'evil.' People waste money on all sorts of. Although the Roman Catholic Church does not view gambling as morally unacceptable in and of itself, games of chance “become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement (CCC, 2413).”. I have been Catholic all my life (33 years) but am unaware of any that are required or even encouraged, either by the Church or the Catholic community as a community, to be celebrated with drunkenness (or even drinking) or gambling.

Although the Roman Catholic Church does not view gambling as morally unacceptable in and of itself, games of chance “become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement (CCC, 2413).” Unfortunately, those expanded gambling bills would, if they pass, have terrible social implications and would harm our New Hampshire way of life.

The following facts have been provided by the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling:

Studies have shown that people who can least afford to engage in gambling (e.g., lower income) actually are the people who most frequently visit casinos and spend their money gambling. In fact, some recent studies have shown that college students and children of parents who engage in gambling are particularly vulnerable to gambling addictions and are more likely than their peers to smoke, binge drink, steal, and use illegal drugs.

States that have permitted video gaming and casinos have seen significant increases in the rates of crime (particularly larceny, embezzlement, insurance fraud, assault, and bad checks), bankruptcy, rapes, domestic abuse, divorce, and suicide. Video gaming casinos would therefore adversely affect families and damage the quality of life in New Hampshire.

There is a considerable difference between video gaming and participating in the state lottery or bingo games. Video gaming and casinos are especially dangerous because the owners often encourage people to play recklessly by providing them with free alcohol and/or meals and loaning them money. In addition, because video machines require no skill and are played rapidly, repetitively, and in isolation, and because they are designed in such a way as to captivate people, they are the most addictive form of gambling.

Catholic Care Gambling Counselling

Expanded gambling will not solve New Hampshire’s budget problems. The House Ways and Means gambling subcommittee has come to the conclusion that depending upon whether Massachusetts permits casinos (which will adversely affect the income for NH), the state could bring in about $100 million per year. This figure does not, however, include the negative impact that video gaming would have on the NH lottery and the hospitality industry in NH nor does it include the impact on law enforcement.

Catholic Against Gambling

No state has solved its financial crisis with expanded gambling. In fact, nearby New Jersey and Connecticut (which permit casinos and video gaming) have some of the highest tax rates in the east.