Is Gambling a Sin? One Bishop Doesn’t Think So

Thomas Tobin, the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence, R.I., says he won’t take a position on whether to open a casino in the Ocean State because, well, he likes to roll the dice from time to time. “I buy raffle tickets to support a local parish or school. I participate in friendly football pools. I’ve […]

Thomas Tobin, the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence, R.I., says he won’t take a position on whether to open a casino in the Ocean State because, well, he likes to roll the dice from time to time.

“I buy raffle tickets to support a local parish or school. I participate in friendly football pools. I’ve won and lost (usually lost) a few bucks on the golf course. And on a few occasions, I’ve even made a pilgrimage to Foxwoods, paying my tithe to the slot machines.”

Tobin likens Catholics’ ambivalence over gambling to their position on alcohol:

“While drinking alcohol is not evil in itself, the morality is found in the circumstances of its use or abuse.”

“We realize there are moral concerns about gambling, but still we play bingo, sell raffle tickets, have parish festivals with games of chance, and organize trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Are sins being commited every time these activities take place? I don’t think so.”

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