Faith leaders and legalized sports betting: Navigating moral concerns in a growing industry

Millions of Americans are gearing up for the excitement of Super Bowl LVIII, with festivities including snacks, laughter over TV commercials, and the main event of watching the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers. However, beyond the typical fanfare, a significant aspect of the Super Bowl experience for many Americans involves placing bets, often facilitated by mobile betting platforms. The legalization of sports gambling has fueled this trend, with an estimated $1.3 billion expected to be wagered on the game. While most states have embraced this trend as a lucrative revenue stream, states like Alabama and Texas have resisted, with faith leaders like Greg Davis opposing any changes that would permit sports betting due to concerns about its addictive nature and the exploitation of citizens’ losses for government profit.

The rapid expansion of legalized sports betting has caught many by surprise, including faith leaders who find themselves grappling with its implications. Despite longstanding moral objections to gambling within various religious traditions, the prevalence and ease of access to sports betting have posed challenges to effectively address its negative consequences. As more states legalize gambling, faith leaders like Rev. Laura Everett in Massachusetts and John Litzler in Texas continue to voice concerns about the social costs and potential harms associated with widespread gambling addiction. They emphasize the need for a nuanced understanding of the issue, highlighting the human toll and ethical considerations amidst the allure of increased revenue and entertainment value.

Religion News Service:

“We don’t think the state government should be in business with corporate gaming to prey on its own people,” he said.

Some of the nation’s largest faith groups have long considered gambling immoral, or a “menace to society,” as the United Methodist Church social principles put it. But faith leaders like Davis are likely fighting an uphill battle, said longtime Boston College professor and Jesuit priest Richard McGowan.

McGowan, who has been nicknamed “the Odds Father” because of his research on gambling, said faith leaders were caught flatfooted by how fast legalized sports gambling became commonplace.