When elected, Texas Legislators are charged with protecting the Weakest & Most Vulnerable among us – legalized gambling's proven statistically to harm the Poor & Young Adults the most
By Craig Christina
Almost 1 million young people between the ages of 14 and 21 in the United States are already gambling addicts. Some estimate that up to 75% of college students have gambled in the past year.
In many instances, online sports wagering is worse for families than casino gambling. It’s accessible from their smartphones – in the privacy of their homes instead of publicly.
One of the most surprising reports I heard from legislators during the 2023 Texas Baptists Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Austin concerned gambling. They said it was primarily Texas Baptists who are keeping Sports Betting, Casinos, and Online Gambling and Lottery sales out of Texas. It is truly a David vs. Goliath battle, as Texans are up against a team of lobbyists and special interest groups who want gambling legalized.
So why are Texas Baptists against legalized gambling? Isn’t it a harmless source of entertainment that will generate more tax dollars for the state’s budget?
The No. 1 reason why we are opposed to gambling is because gambling takes advantage of the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
The No. 1 reason why we are opposed to gambling is because gambling takes advantage of the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
In Genesis 4, Cain was asked by God about the whereabouts of his brother Abel. Cain had murdered Abel, but he replied to God,“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The answer is, “Yes, you are!”
The answer is, “Yes, you are!”
We are expected to look after one another – and to love, care for, and protect each other.
Our Texas legislators are charged with protecting the weakest and most vulnerable among us. But if they vote to legalize gambling, it is proven statistically to harm the poor and young adults the most.
Gambling harms
Before joining the staff of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I was pastor of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in East Dallas. The church is located in a lower- to middle-income neighborhood.
I’ll never forget one church member requesting benevolence assistance. She told me:
“I have to hide the grocery money from my husband. He’ll waste it on lottery tickets – and sometimes spend up to $100 a month on it. He’s sick.”
Habitual gambling is a mental illness. It’s a siren song appealing to our base desire to “get rich quick.”
Make no mistake, the gambling industry is funded by those who can least afford to lose their money and who are most likely to become addicted.
Make no mistake, the gambling industry is funded by those who can least afford to lose their money and who are most likely to become addicted.
Texas already struggles to provide mental health services to our residents. Legalized gambling would only compound the problem and create a new mental health crisis.
An entire generation of addicted gamblers – often young males who like sports – are losing their livelihoods. They often leverage credit or borrow money from their small business if necessary to pay for their gambling addiction.
Gambling will lead to higher rates of:
- Crime
- Domestic Violence
- Bankruptcies
- Divorce
- Depression, and
- Suicide
I want to encourage you to contact your State Representative, State Senator and Gov. Abbott to let them know you are opposed to all forms of gambling.
Baptists are a politically diverse body of believers. We are advocating for or against many other important issues as well.
- You can find the latest public policy update at the Christian Life Commission website.
Craig Christina is the Associate Executive Director, and Acting Executive Director of Texas Baptists. This article is adapted from his Texas Baptists Weekly Update email.
