Gambling/Betting

I think we probably all agree that gambling is unwise, but I'm curious to see a few things on here:
+1} To what extent people take their thoughts on gambling.+ Is it merely discouraged by Biblical principles, or will it send you to Hell? Is it okay for friends to make paltry bets for fun?
+2} What Scripture references people will use to back up their opinion.+

I can't say I know any biblical references to back up my opinion. However I would think that gambling/betting is okay in moderation. As far as gambling in a casino, or somewhere like that where the stakes are high, and you can win lots of money (or lose lots of money) It is normally not a good idea. But I don't think it is necessarily wrong. The problem is that it is very addicting, and you are likely to lose most of the time. and that money is God's. We should not be squandering God's money. plus if we have a family, they should be of first importance, and we should not be wasting our money on gambling. However, I don't think that gambling is inherently wrong.
Then there is betting between friends. This normally involves smaller bets, and often is not based on chance. for instance, I may have bet John doe, that Sarah B. is not really going to run away to a convent. (No I am not suggesting that you bet on things like that but - more on that later.) so is this friendly betting allowable? The main problem with "friendly" betting is that it is not always friendly. - 1. - What starts out as "friendly" betting, may not be so friendly after time. - 2. - sometimes it can make other people feel bad. like my example with Sarah. That would not have been a polite thing to bet about. So while it is, again, not necessarily wrong, there is a very fine line between friendly betting, and not so friendly betting.

The first thing my dad said about gambling to me, many years ago, was that it was trying to get money without paying for it.

As a further extension of the question, what do people think about buying stocks? Is that gambling with your money? Or is it wise stewardship?

As a further extension of the question, what do people think about buying stocks? Is that gambling with your money? Or is it wise stewardship?

Like so many things, I would say that can be done wisely or foolishly. Taking risks isn't always unwise; we just need to be sure that it's worth the risk. If the potential harm is going to have an effect on us that would hinder our glorifying God, it's not worth it.

Random relevant fact: By the extended definition, taking any chance is a gamble.

I haven't thought of any Scripture references, but I firmly believe that gambling is wrong. The worst thing is to "win" lots of money. It has a terrible effect on people; the few who win feel guilty deep inside, since they know that they didn't earn the money. They almost always spend the money foolishly and have none of it left in a few months.

Those are all excellent points, but what if someone does not use it foolishly or feel guilty about it–since it's like a gift?
This is unlikely, of course, but has probably happened to some people.

I don't agree that gambling is bad. Playing in a casino can either make good money or lose money. Of course, when you gamble, you have to take responsibility and count on your budget. If luck favors you, it won't take you long to win your first prize, but if you lose the first few times, it's worth considering whether you should continue. As for addictions, it's just like cigarettes or alcohol, it's a test that God gives us, gambling has nothing to do with it. I personally got my first experience in the7slots.casino, zdesi could win the first jackpot and I play to this day. I do not want to brag, but I have already bought a new iPhone, some furniture for the living room and a gift to his wife with the money won. Apparently God blessed me with good luck.