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Opinions about gambling vary across religions, although there is a general pattern. Religious groups that believe in more than one God (e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism) tend to have more positive views about gambling when compared to groups that only believe in only one God (e.g., Morman, Jehovah’s Witness). Additionally, people who gamble and who belong to a faith that does not approve of gambling are less likely to gamble intensely.
Despite a decline in the number of people formally practicing religion, many people still seek a spiritual experience. Some people turn to gambling to fill this spiritual void. People can also use spirituality to overcome gambling problems. For example, Gamblers Anonymous, along with other twelve-step treatment programs, are based on spirituality and faith. One part of religious belief is magical thinking. Magical thinking involves irrational thoughts that result in behaviour change. An example of a magical thought would be going to a casino because you believe it is your lucky day. This kind of thinking can contribute to gambling harm.
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