Rabbi's Musings

What Does Judaism Say About Gambling?
The Bible does not speak about gambling, per se, but the theme of games of risk is not unknown in the Bible. In the Book of Esther, for instance, there is the casting of lots. We also have a similar lottery when dealing with the scapegoat on Yom Kippur. The sailors in the book of Jonah cast lots as well. Later Jewish tradition specifically addresses gambling and declares that those who engage in professional gambling are not to be considered valid witnesses in a court of law. It should be made clear that we are speaking of the habitual gambler, not the Las Vegas weekender. This time of year, of course, we play the game of dreidel, a game of chance, but it is perhaps true that this is the exception to the rule.

Jewish moralists may have not called out gambling as illegal, but they certainly did not encourage the pastime. In short, gambling is not forbidden in Jewish law, but it is hardly considered a worthwhile pastime. In my experience, one does not see too many bingo parlors on the premises of the synagogue. I would bet this is the reason.