The issue of gambling for religious groups from Judaism through the most modern Christian sects has been addressed, but not at all times and certainly not always in the same way. In Judaism, rabbis and other scholars meticulously analyze historical evidence regarding activities. Jewish law changes and grows with interpretations. The interpretations have differed considerably at times; however, there is a general position of tolerance couched in considerations of the situation of the gambling activity.
Occasional gambling in social situations has been moderately acceptable. Indeed, because an enemy king had once rolled the dice to determine when to attack Israel armies, and he attacked at the wrong time losing the battle, the Jewish people have come to celebrate a day called Purim. Games even involving gambling are played on Purim, a time also known as the Feast of Lots. The winner of money at such a game, however, is supposed to make an offering to the synagogue (Wigoder 1989, 576).
Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the lamps. As a “lucky day” for the Jewish people, it has also been known as “the New Year’s Day for Gamblers”.
A person who gambled either professionally, as a means of personal support, or habitually was shunned, despite these other examples. The professional gambler was considered a thief, not earning his money through honest labor, and the habitual gambler as one who harmed society. A gambler was “a parasite engaged in useless endeavor and contributing nothing to the world” (Werblowsky and Wigoder 1966, 152). Time spent in gambling games has been viewed as time away from study and productivity. Jewish courts traditionally will not honor gambling debts. And gamblers could not have weddings or funerals in synagogues, nor could they be witnesses in court, as their word was not considered truthful (Bell 1976, 217).
There have been divided interpretations regarding the use of gambling for charitable and fund-raising purposes. Some synagogues have allowed bingo games on their premises, but an association of synagogues condemned the process. Some scholars have interpreted tragic events suffered by the Jewish people at different times in history as being punishments for sins such as gambling. Leaders in the faith have actively opposed legalization of gambling at certain times, although not taking positions or allowing passive support at other times (Jacobs 1973, 151–153).
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