1. 'Is gambling a sin?', Renew
Unsure what the Bible actually says about gambling, and whether it is sinful or not. This blog post provides a quick intro to the topic, with the author pointing out that gambling is almost never done in the pursuit of goodness, and often feeds a base desire for getting money quickly, or for an emotional rush.
2. ‘What does the Bible say about gambling?’, GotQuestions
A much longer look at what we might learn from the Bible about gambling in a podcast episode from the well-known website which seeks to answer common questions Christians might have. They explore the dark desires lurking at the heart of gambling, and why it’s more than simply ‘taking a risk’ or having fun, all while remaining factual, direct, and Biblically rooted.
3. ‘You can change’, Tim Chester
Not specifically about gambling, but Tim Chester’s book lays out a number of principles for becoming free from addiction, and speaks of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Drawing on his own struggles to change, Chester’s book is full of practical wisdom, and encourages readers to cast their eyes upwards to look at Jesus.
4. ‘Jackpot: How gambling conquered Britain’, Rob Davies
In this book, Journalist Rob Davies traces the history of gambling in the UK from the first national lottery in 1596 to the web of apps and adverts on our mobile phones. But he starts and ends in our modern context of addiction and suicide, which are ‘the gut-wrenching real-life impact of predatory practices by the gambling industry’.
5. ‘Tony 10: The astonishing story of the postman who gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All’, Declan Lynch and Tony O’Reilly
This gripping read tells the story of Tony O’Reilly’s gambling addiction, a regular postman who began by placing bets of just €1; so driven by his urge to gamble that he stole almost €2 million, he ended up losing his money, his wife, his reputation and his freedom. The story illustrates how gripping gambling can be, even to an everyday person. Today O’Reilly is a counsellor and an activist who raises awareness of gambling addiction.
6. ‘Punters’, Aaron Rogan
In this book, Aaron Rogan tells the story of the rise of Paddy Power, the largest gambling business in the world. How did a company rise from being a small Irish bookmaker to dominating the industry? Read about the ways they obtained an edge on their competitors through morally questionable practices, and the impact that has had upon the gambling industry at large, and learn about how the industry makes a fortune off the backs of those who are vulnerable.
7. Gamstop
The online tool Gamstop, which CARE was involved in setting up, provides people with the ability to self-exclude themselves from gambling websites if they are looking to beat their gambling addiction. Since being set up, it has been used by more than 400,000 people.
8. Gambling with Lives
Gambling with Lives is a pressure group formed by the families of those who’ve committed suicide because of their gambling addiction. They are campaigning to reform gambling laws, such as by the banning of advertising within football, and are producing research, resources and education programmes for schools about gambling harms. This video featuring the bereaved families of people who have taken their own lives as a result of gambling is a good place to start.
9. ‘The horrible truth about gambling addiction’, Rob_Odaat
Addict-turned-recovery-coach Rob shares his story about his 6-year gambling addiction in this video on his YouTube channel. Speaking to camera about his experiences, he discusses the way the gambling industry hooked him, how it grew to become an obsession, and how he lost more than just money. It provides a really helpful insight into the psychology of someone who is addicted to gambling, and how it is difficult to escape from the downward spiral.
10. ‘Lifting the lid on Loot Boxes’, Gamble Aware
Video games are now fuelling addictive behaviours in children and almost training them in how to gamble from an early age. This in-depth report, commissioned by GambleAware, explores the rise and the effects of Loot Boxes, and explores the similarities with gambling. Loot boxes are used in common games like the Fifa-franchise: in-game containers that players pay for, and which contain random upgrade-providing items.