Why is there not a consistent morality policy on or rather against gambling by the Church as its an obvious violation of the 9th Commandment of the decalogue and is money-oriented and greedy?

Answer 1

One of the reasons priests take years to study Moral Theology is because part of something being a sin as well as its level of gravity depends on circumstances: the place, the amount, the type, the person, the consequences, etc., etc.

The Doctrine: Gambling is not a sin according to the Catholic Church provided it is done in moderation and in accordance with one's means. It is considered a form of recreation, a game of chance just like Bingo, the lottery, etc.

The difference with gambling over other games of chance is that it's results are often immediate and it can quickly become addicting.

* It is a sin if you gamble beyond your means. This involves how much you make as well as whether you are responsible for the welfare of others, such as a spouse or family. Obviously, a rich bachelor may invest more in his recreation - losing $1000 for him is not as grave as a married man making minimum wage who loses $1000. * It is a sin if gambling causes you to fail at your duty of state. Some people like to gamble but do not know how to walk away when it is time. If inordinate amounts of time are spent gambling, if it causes you to miss work, neglect commitments or family, this is a sin. * If it causes you to change your prudent financial and social habits. If the person withdraws investments for more recreational cash or puts aside legitimate hobbies in order to have more and frequent time to gamble, this is at least a venial sin heading to a mortal fall. While it is true that such funds and time were free of responsibility, such moves will cause problems in the future, either financially or for future commitments. This is obsessive behavior which is not pleasing to God because of its imbalance and bad direction.

* If it is addictive. If gambling becomes addictive, often the person spends beyond their means as well as failing in their duty of state. If the person knows that gambling always or often leads them into these sins, gambling becomes a proximate occasion of sin for them and they must not engage in it. * Casinos are considered occasions of sin since they are specifically designed to incite one to gamble beyond what is reasonable as well as providing complimentary alcohol, which clouds judgment, loud noises and lights which incite the passions, and sometimes immodest entertainment and patrons. Few are those who can enter into a Casino on a strict budget and stick to it or know when to walk away when they have a string of good fortune. Recreational games are not sinful, such as card games, betting, carnival games, etc., if:

* Done in a controlled environment. If there is nothing inciting or able to impair judgment, or, if social drinking is involved, that there is no access to more funds than originally agreed upon, this is fine. * If the amount is low or fixed. Usually games have a ceiling where each player starts with a fixed amount and plays until he has lost it all, withdrawn, won or time for the game expires. This way no one can spend more than what they have and the other players should all enforce this rule should someone attempt to break it. This regulates the game as well as predetermining what funds will be given towards recreation and whether the person can reasonably participate. * If there is a set time frame. If you have commitments to a family or spouse or have a job or commitments then a time frame for the game must be set. * When you are among friends. Games among friends or family are fine. If you are going out and gambling with complete strangers you enter an occasion of sin since you have no idea if there is a fixed sum or time, and even if there is, you cannot know if you can trust the other players to respect it.

As a general rule, clerics and religious are forbidden to gamble as it is unseemly. Gambling is not considered coveting since what is put into the pot is freely offered by the other players - it's ownership is no longer fixed. Winning some material prize or arbitrary status is common for most games as well as sports, contests, competitions, etc., and so the desire to win the prize is not considered sinful. In gambling, there are various forms of collateral that can be used to place a wager, and thus gambling is not so much money-oriented as it is materialistic. If done within reason, as illustrated in the above, material orientation for recreational purposes is fine in moderation. Finally, the greed that gambling incites is indeed to be avoided. If a person's motivation to gamble is greed then the person should avoid gambling as an occasion of sin. Many people that gamble by placing a bet, having Poker nights and such, find gambling relaxing, fun and a good time. Each person must examine their own conscience in this matter.