Sports, specifically football, is a passion for
Ghanaians and many other people around the world. In recent years, sports
betting has swept across Ghana like wildfire, particularly capturing the
attention and resources of young people. News content
from various Ghanaian media outlets highlights the alarming impact it is having
on people, from drained
savings to depression and addiction. The promise of
quick money, the thrill of risk associated with predicting match outcomes is
enticing, and and the hope of financial breakthrough have made habitual betting or gambling a cultural phenomenon that the youth
participate in without questioning its spiritual implications. The Merriam
Webster dictionary explains gambling as “the practice of risking money or other
stakes in a game or bet.” The Encyclopaedia Brittanica gives a more elaborate
definition of gambling this way: “the betting or staking of something of
value, with consciousness of risk and hope of gain, on the outcome of a game, a
contest, or an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance or accident
or have an unexpected result by reason of the bettor’s miscalculation.” As followers of Christ in modern Ghana, we have a responsibility to
engage thoughtfully with our existing cultural realities and not to simply
embrace or reject them without discernment. The Scripture encourages us not to
be conformed to the standards of this world (Romans 12:2) and to “take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians
10:5, NIV). In this light, it is important for us to pause and ask:
What does the Bible say about this? Is sports betting just harmless fun, or
does it carry deeper spiritual and moral implications? My aim in this short article is to help us develop a biblical way of thinking about sports
betting and gambling activities. I do not want to simply declare what is “permitted”
or “forbidden,” but more than that I desire to cultivate a deeper understanding
of how our faith shapes our relationship with money, risk, work, and community.
The Ghanaian Context
There is no denying that there are social and economic
realities that make betting very attractive to those of us in our young adult years.
In a nation where youth unemployment rates remain high and economic
opportunities limited, many young people view sports betting as an accessible
path to financial progress and stability. Besides, financial pressures from
family could also intensify the attractiveness of this activity as it presents
hopes of making the needed money that could enable one to help the family out. The
slogan from the betting outlets “bet responsibly” seems like a cruel joke given
their aggressive marketing tactics, through ads and apps, designed to hook
young people with the thrill of potential wins while keeping them chasing
losses. Mobile phones have made betting platforms easily
accessible, and the frequent display of “success stories” creates a perception
that betting offers a viable route to financial prosperity. It is possible that
many young Christians are participating in betting while still attending church
regularly and actively participating in church activities, without seeing any contradiction
between their faith and the activity of betting. The normalization of betting
in the wider culture can easily desensitize people to its spiritually damaging effects, as the lines between entertainment,
investment, and potentially harmful behaviour get blurred.
Thinking Biblically and Christianly about Betting
1.
The Illusion of Quick Wealth versus God’s Design for Work and Provision
Sports
betting thrives on the promise of easy money. Many young people, frustrated by
unemployment or financial struggles, see betting as a promising path to
prosperity. Now thinking Christianly means we must be honest with ourselves and
about our situation while also maintaining faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. If
you have ever been unemployed and lacked money for prolonged periods of time,
you can attest to the feeling of uselessness that can overwhelm you as you
daily wake up to watch your peers go to their places of work to work for their
salaries. Perhaps it is even the case that you have the requisite education or
training that should help you get a job, you are physically and mentally fit to
work yet nothing is coming your way. The deep frustration and even depression
that could overwhelm a person in this period of life can only be imagined by people
who are gainfully employed and are receiving regular income. The Creator of
this universe is not unaware of the trials which this Fallen world can throw at
us (1 Cor 10:13), yet His Word warns us against get-rich-quick schemes: “Whoever is slothful [lazy] will not roast
his game but the diligent man will get precious wealth,” says Proverbs 12:27 (ESV), and “Wealth gained hastily [or dishonestly,
or by fraud] will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase
it” (Proverbs 13:11, ESV). This principle challenges the “get-rich-quick”
mentality that often drives betting behaviour. God’s design for provision involves
honest labour, diligent work, and patience (Col 3:23; 2 Thess 3:10). While
betting may occasionally yield winnings, it promotes a dangerous mindset—the placing
of your trust in luck rather than in God’s faithful provision. True financial
wisdom is not found in gambling but in hard work, saving, and trusting God to
open doors of opportunity. Thus, John
Wesley, in his sermon titled, “Use of Money,” warns against engaging ourselves
in employments that are either “sinful in themselves, or natural inlets to sin
of various kinds.”
2.
Stewardship: Are We Wasting What God Has Entrusted to Us?
As Christians, we must remember that every resource we
have—time, money, energy—ultimately belongs to God and has been
given to us by God to be used wisely. The Psalmist writes that, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who
live in it” (Psalm 24:1). Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
teaches that we will give an account for how we manage what God has given us. This
means that we ought to be faithful stewards of the resources God
entrusts to us.
Sports betting often leads to: (1) Loss of hard-earned money (which
could have been saved, invested, or used to bless others); (2) Wasted time
(obsessively seeking to benefit from chance or random outcomes instead of
engaging in productive activities); and (3) Neglect of responsibilities
(studies, work, family, and even spiritual growth). When we are faced with the urge to engage in sports betting or gambling
of any form, we should honestly ask ourselves: Does this reflect a faithful use of
the resources God has entrusted to me? Am I managing my
finances in a way that honours God and serves others?
3. The Love of Money versus the Love of God
At
its core, sports betting is driven by the desire for money, a desire that Scripture
warns against. Apostle Paul cautioned Timothy: “For the love of money is a root
of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the
faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV). This
does not mean money itself is evil, but the obsession with it leads
people away from God. They may still be coming to church and participating
actively in church programs, but their hearts would have drifted away. When we
chase wealth through gambling, we risk making it an idol—something we trust
more than God. Jesus said: “No one can
serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, NIV). “Money
answereth all things” is a worldly wisdom that King Solomon captured in his
sayings (Ecclesiastes 10:19, KJV) pointing to the idea that when you have money
you are able to satisfy many of your needs and desires. But we know Jesus makes
it clear in the New Testament that the value to our souls of knowing him as our
Lord and master far surpasses gaining all the money in the world or gaining the
whole world itself (Mark 8:36). The question is
not simply whether betting is inherently sinful, but whether it is promoting
unhealthy desires in our hearts. Besides, Jesus taught us that “where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Does our engagement
with betting reflect a heart treasuring God above all else?
4.
Addiction and the Loss of Self-Control
Also
related to the point above is one of the greatest dangers of sports betting—addiction.
What may begin as “just a small stake” can become an enslaving habit. Apostle
Paul, writing with godly wisdom, warned: “Everything is permissible for me, but
not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not
be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV). You see, gambling triggers
the release of dopamine in the brain—a “chemical messenger” (neurotransmitter)
also described by experts as the happy or feel-good hormone associated with
pleasure, reward, and reinforcement. This neurochemical response creates a
powerful feeling of excitement or euphoria, particularly during moments of expectation
or near-wins. Over time, the brain begins to associate gambling with these
pleasurable sensations, and this reinforces the behaviour and encourages
repetition. According to neuroscientific studies, this cycle closely mirrors
the patterns seen in substance addiction, where the dopamine system becomes disordered,
and individuals increasingly rely on the addictive behaviour to achieve the
same psychological effect. This leads to a cycle of craving, risk-taking, and
repeated gambling, despite negative consequences. Young people can thus easily plunge
themselves into debt, depression, and even crime due to the addiction. True
freedom in Christ, however, means not being controlled by destructive desires but
walking in self-discipline, as Galatians 5:13 makes clear: “As for you, my
friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an
excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make
you serve one another” (GNB).
5. Community and Loving Our Neighbours
Christianity is inherently communal. We are called to “love
your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and to “carry each other’s burdens”
(Galatians 6:2). The sports betting industry ultimately profits from the
collective losses of participants. While some individuals may win, the system
depends on the majority losing money. As Christians, we should consider how our
participation in sports betting affects our community. Does our participation contribute
to the flourishing of a system that ultimately harms vulnerable members of our
society? Does it reflect Christ’s call to care for others?
6. Work and Dignity
Scripture upholds the dignity of work as part of God’s
design for human flourishing. Paul instructs, “whoever does not work should not
eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and encourages believers to “work with your
hands... so that you may not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thessalonians
4:11-12). John Wesley likewise admonishes, “Gain all you can by honest industry.”
While betting is often portrayed as an alternative to traditional work, it
cannot provide the same sense of purpose, dignity, and contribution that
meaningful work offers. As Christians, we should seek to develop our God-given
talents and abilities in ways that allow us to participate in creation and
serve others through our labour.
A
Call to Wisdom and Faithful Christian Living
Sports
betting may seem exciting, but it is a deceptive trap that can lead to
financial loss, addiction, and spiritual downfall. As Methodist youth, we are
called to a higher standard—one of wisdom, self-control, and trust in God’s
provision and blessings. Let us invest
our time, talents, and treasures in ways that honour God and build a meaningful
future. True success does not come from luck but from faithfulness to God’s
Word. “Commit to the Lord whatever you
do, and he will establish your plans,” so goes Proverbs 16:3 (NIV). May we
choose the path of wisdom, and may God guide our steps in every decision we
make.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers
salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present
age.” — Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)