On the return trip from Yellowstone National Park several years ago, my family and I charted our course through the historic Old West town of Deadwood, South Dakota. It sounded both fun and educational. As we approached the town, though, we realized the extent to which legalized gambling had consumed this once-quaint town. We felt like we were in a scaled-down version of Las Vegas.

We visited some historic buildings and enjoyed some gift shops, but we left with an inescapable impression: The town was sour and sad. We passed many shops where we could see, through the windows, people who seemed entranced, repeatedly pulling the arms of slot machines. We can’t remember even one happy face. There were looks of sadness, weariness, hopelessnes, far-off looks, dazed looks—but no happy ones.

Compare this to the casino, racetrack, and lottery commercials on TV. Everyone is happy and lively. Which side of gambling is the true side?

The writer of the gambling article in this issue, Bruce Stewart, and I live in the same city—a city that is now the target of casino-hungry politicians. Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, ran on a pro-gambling platform, and he has kept true to his platform. Though Pennsylvania is now considered a “blue state,” and even a liberal state, the last presidential race was actually decided by a closer margin here than in much-publicized Ohio. One could safely say that Pennsylvania is a divided state, trying to figure out where it will stand. A new gaming law was passed last July, designed to expand gambling in the state; but it isn’t going into effect without a fight.

I don’t see much stomach, though, among conservative politicians for repealing laws that have legalized gambling. Perhaps it’s not a popular cause. Could that be because constituents, both conservative and liberal, both non-Christian and Christian, have come to accept “a little gambling”? Have you come to accept a little gambling?

Everyone reading this editorial will agree that the God and His Word ought to govern our attitudes and actions. So what does the Bible say about gambling—or gaming, the term that gambling interests prefer, perhaps because it sounds more like child’s play than pocket-picking.

Dr. Stewart’s article in this issue gives a clear definition of gambling and a biblical understanding of the sins involved in it. If you’d like to research some of the facts about lotteries, casinos, etc., we’ll put some links for you on our just-launched web site, www.rpwitness.com.

Lottery tickets make lousy gifts. I’d rather you buy me a Coke. Or, better yet, take the dollars you spend on the lottery and drop them into a box for a night out with your family. You’ll help support the local economy (which is good for the government too), you’ll help make your family healthy (which is good for the government too), and you’ll honor God. Oh, and one more thing—your chances of being a winner will be a lot better than 5 million to one.