Word & Table Gambling
Feb 11, 2026
Fr. Stephen Gauthier, Canon Theologian and formation director, brings a theological and moral lens to gambling. He contrasts gambling with insurance and investment. He frames the issue with virtues like temperance and justice. He outlines five classic moral rules and warns about online betting and the regressive harms when the state promotes gambling.
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Gambling Creates Risk Without Social Benefit
- Gambling creates an artificial risk without social benefit.
- Fr. Stephen contrasts this with insurance/investment which spread or manage real risks inherent in life or business.
Use Cardinal Virtues To Judge Gambling
- Apply cardinal virtues when evaluating gambling, especially temperance and justice.
- Keep passions subject to reason, act in moderation, and remember stewardship over possessions when choosing recreational spending.
Only Gamble For Recreation With Disposable Money
- Only recreation and truly disposable money can justify gambling.
- Gambling mustn't be used as a means to get rich and wagers should be amounts you'd otherwise spend on leisure.