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The Poor Man's Game

By Cedric Moss


This past Christmas holiday, like many parents, I made my annual pilgrimage to the Carnival at the QE Sports Centre to take my three children. Actually, they always take me but I drive! We only go for the rides and, like previous years, not much had changed.

A True Name
As I waited around for a ride to finish, my attention was drawn to the many games of chance being offered. I was captivated by one in particular because of its paradoxical name. It is called "The Poor Man's Game." I remember seeing this game before but in light of the high level of "Lotto Fever" prevailing in our nation, I paid a bit more attention. People huddled around the “Poor Man’s Game” booth throwing quarters to win some unidentifiable (and mostly useless) objects. As I strolled over to observe more closely, I saw quarters littering the tables and the ground. Also, from their aged appearance, the items on the table seemed to have been coming here for years and serving one single purpose: enticing "The Poor Man" to throw his quarters trying to win something on the table.

An Honest Name
As I watched people feverishly bounce quarters off dusty trinkets in an attempt to win them, I thought about the practice of gambling, especially pure chance gambling like lotteries. And I thought about that name: “The Poor Man’s Game.”

No doubt, if in its collective “wisdom”, our government brings a national lottery, it will have an enticing name. But that night at the Carnival, as I pondered the idea of a national lottery, I thought an honest name for it would be “The Poor Man's Game”. If it comes and the government has a name competition, that’s the name I’ll submit. Now I know that name is hard to market and they will reject it, but it is an honest name, especially for the lottery. I say this because it is a generally accepted fact that lotteries are a voluntary tax of which the poor pay a disproportionately high amount. So in that sense it is truly “The Poor Man’s Game.” Yes, the rich do get to play and share with the poor the same incredible odds of winning, but the poor largely finance their game.

Defining Success
While I believe that the practice of gambling is contrary to clear teachings in Scripture, I also believe there is a strong case to be made to show lotteries as bad socio-economic policy. Further, it is my subjective (but perhaps correct) belief that Bahamians seem to have a higher than normal propensity to gamble. If my belief is correct, and if we get a national lottery, the negative socio-economic side effects for us will be greater than in those countries which pro-lottery supporters quote in their zeal to try to convince us of the kind of “success” our lottery could have. But what is a successful lottery? How do we measure it? If measuring success is purely based on the net proceeds after payouts to winners and ignores the socio-economic costs, it is at best a shortsighted measurement, and perhaps a deceptive one.

Leadership Courage
In my view, the answer to illegal numbers houses (no tech and high tech) is not a national lottery. In addition, the solution to Bahamians having a few options to spend an unquantifiable amount of money on foreign lotteries is not giving them multiple easy options to buy a local one. Instead, what is needed in both cases is for those who have the privilege to lead at this time to exercise leadership courage. It will take leadership courage to close illegal numbers houses, and not just count them. And, although politically incorrect, it will take leadership courage to try to envision and counsel those who gamble to instead use those funds in more productive and industrious ways.

Perhaps more importantly, leadership courage is needed to reform our system of taxation to a more equitable one so that we don’t need to resort to “The Poor Man’s Game” to fund the projects that we all agree need funding.

Our Casino Contradiction
I know some are wondering about our duplicitous law that allows tourists to gamble but not Bahamians. Well, I’ll save my comments about our casino contradiction for another time.

Cedric Moss serves as Senior Pastor at Kingdom Life World Outreach Centre. Commentary and feedback may be directed to: apostle@kingdom-life.org.

Our Casino Contradiction
I know some are wondering about our duplicitous law that allows tourists to gamble but not Bahamians. Well, I’ll save my comments about our casino contradiction for another time.

I am one of those wondering about this also. It sends message that we don't care about people besides ourselves. This goes against the values that we were taught to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

It sends the message we only want their money. Let them lose their life savings and not us.

What message are we sending to our children?

Our Casino Contradiction
I know some are wondering about our duplicitous law that allows tourists to gamble but not Bahamians. Well, I’ll save my comments about our casino contradiction for another time.

I would love to hear your explanation for this! Don't keep us in suspense! Lay it on us! Few people know the real reason, or should I say reasons?

I would love to hear your explanation for this! Don't keep us in suspense! Lay it on us! Few people know the real reason, or should I say reasons?

Its the same in Las Vegas, I believe, the residents are not allowed to gamble.

Hi Cedric I think you need to wipe your glasses off. Or try and remember churches that have raffles. Or how about hoopla? You pay money for some hoops and throw them “to win some unidentifiable (and mostly useless) objects.” I have seen this game at many a church fair.
Now is it ok because the money from church fairs goes to the church so its some how not gambling. But when others do it and the money does not go to the church ooooo then it’s gambling.

And, although politically incorrect, it will take leadership courage to tell the church leaders keep you policies in your church if we want to hear them we will come to your church and listen. Please note I said your church. If it were Christ church it would not have doors that can lock and the owner with a key.

Gospel of Thomas
77 Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

We don’t need church building to find Christ. Pharisees, pastors reverends priest and the other clergy need the church buildings to which they have a key.
I say point out the scripture you say is against gambling. I have yet to see thou shalt not gamble.

"Question: "What does the Bible say about gambling? Is gambling a sin?"

Answer: Gambling can be defined as “risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds”. The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Also, there are far better things we can be doing with our money than gambling it away (Luke 6:38; 2Corinthians 9:7). In light of these principles, I definitely do not believe gambling is honoring to God."

from here: http://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html (LINK)

sorry link does not work: http://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html

thing is though, now adays money is more important than it was wayyy back when the bible was written or editted or whatever. It is the most important thing in our lives these days, as without money, we cannot eat or drink, and therefore, we cannot live without money, and having very little money means we are starving most of the time. The more money you have nowadays means the difference of a nice life or a hard life.

http://www.gotquestions.org/about.html

Its a church site so it really does not have any say on the matter except for those that choose to believe in thier views.

"Question: "What does the Bible say about gambling? Is gambling a sin?"

Answer: Gambling can be defined as “risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds”. The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Also, there are far better things we can be doing with our money than gambling it away (Luke 6:38; 2Corinthians 9:7). In light of these principles, I definitely do not believe gambling is honoring to God."

from here: http://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html (LINK)

sorry link does not work: http://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html


1 Timothy 6
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Nothing to do with gambling but every thing to do with greed.
No Gambling here.

Hebrews 13
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

You should not talk about what you want but be content with what you have.
No Gambling here.

Proverbs 13
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Wealth gained because of who you are and or see your self to be, is diminished. Wealth gained from hard work shall be incressed. First of what is wealth. I am the wealthiest transgender in the Bahamas but money wise I am pretty bad off. But my wealth is in those who love me for who I am.
No Gambling here.

Proverbs 23
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Riches can change hands as fast as a bird can fly. You can’t take gold, silver or money past the grave. (But I do believe love can go past the grave.)
No Gambling here.

Ecclesiastes 5
10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

This is greed again.
No Gambling here.

Luke 6
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I see nothing of money here. Giving might be just as simple as helping someone pick up something they dropped. Giving of your heart and from your heart. Comes back to you.
No Gambling here.

2 Corinthians 9
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Again I see nothing of money here. Giving might be just as simple as helping someone pick up something they dropped. Giving of your heart and from your heart. Comes back to you.
No Gambling here.

thing is though, now adays money is more important than it was wayyy back when the bible was written or editted or whatever. It is the most important thing in our lives these days, as without money, we cannot eat or drink, and therefore, we cannot live without money, and having very little money means we are starving most of the time. The more money you have nowadays means the difference of a nice life or a hard life.

You mean you can't eat what you want and when you want.

Hi Godsign
Let me put it like this. Bahamians are going to gamble even if they can’t do it here. How many lottery tickets are bought from Fl. By Bahamians??? How many Bahamians fly to Las Vegas to Gamble??? How many Bahamians would be employed if this was done here in the Bahamas.
Its as simple Bahamians are going to gamble anyway should we let it employ foreigners or should it employ Bahamians.

I, too, am against gambling, which I believe is very ungodly, very unspiritual.

No, you would not see "Thou shall not gamble" in the Bible, but God is a Holy God who does things "decently and in order".

He also requires us to use our brain. His word tells us "Those who would not work should not eat!" Is gambling work? I simply cannot bring myself to believe that a person who gambles for a living can also be livinng a life of decency and honesty. God's word warns us about "walking in the counsel of the ungodly and standing in the path of sinners".

Can you see a Holy God agreeing for His people to be hanging out with prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and all the other criminal types that frequent gambling houses? These, therefore, are the reasons for my belief that gambling is against God's word!

Now, about money. Money in and of itself is good and very much needed to survive in this world. It is a good and sound thing for everyone to have a sufficient amount of money. God Himself says, "Money answers all things." So, He is not against His people possessing money; but He would definitely be against it if we were to make money our god!

Ok, much has been said as to why Bahamians are not allowed to gamble at the casinos. I don't know all the reasons, but I think I know one of them. Remember the Race Track, Hobby Horse Hall. It was called "The only race track of its kind in the world". And I understand that many poor Bahamians used to go there and gamble all their weekly pay on the horse races and suffer great losses. And therefore many times they would be unable to pay their rent and buy thier grocery.

Gambling is motivated by pure greed, and nothing more.

All gamblers desire to get something for nothing. They do not care how much they take from the other players. And many times the other players are playing with 'scared money', i.e. money they can't afford to lose.

As they lose more and more of their 'scared money' they get into trouble. They can't pay their bills, their children get sent to school with no lunch or no lunch money. Meanwhile the winner is having a ball and proclaiming how great gambling is and how much they won.

A week later that same person loses a heap of money to the other players and causes a lot of resentment among the gamblers. And of course the bills go unpaid again - which also causes lots of unesseccary anger and stress.

Apart from winning every now and then, everything else about gambling is basically bad for the gamblers.

There are better ways to invest money - people can lend money to the government for development projects - the government pays them back with interest over a period of time. It is how shares and bonds works. Nobody is hurt in the process and you still get a return on your investment. It does not involve gambling and the money will be used for the betterment of society.

The government can pay back the money because everyone has to pay taxes to the government - electricity, telecommunication, customs, national insurance, etc.

I have personally seen te devistation that gambling causes, even seen adults crying because they lost all their cash and need food for their kids.

There is such a thing as responsible gambling, but the various gambling games hardly ever limit the players to a responsible bet - they are usually allowed to play until they los everything, and casinos even give out free cash and food and drinks to keep the players in their seats - knowing full well that the odds are not in the players favour.

The simple fact of the matter is that gambling is always either a) one sided, one person has greater odds or b) completely random chance.

Games of skill are a different matter and usually not considered gambling - but everyone has to start of equal and win by using skill not the cards they were dealt - a good example is a pool/billiard tournament.

Dominos and poker should not qualify since your cards are dealt out randomly, you don't start of with equal chances of winning.

I, too, am against gambling, which I believe is very ungodly, very unspiritual.

No, you would not see "Thou shall not gamble" in the Bible, but God is a Holy God who does things "decently and in order".

He also requires us to use our brain. His word tells us "Those who would not work should not eat!" Is gambling work? Is investing you hard earned money into a business that might fail or profit you work or gambling.
Tho only difference is how fast you lose or profit.
I simply cannot bring myself to believe that a person who gambles for a living can also be livinng a life of decency and honesty. God's word warns us about "walking in the counsel of the ungodly and standing in the path of sinners".
What does this have to do with gambling???
Can you see a Holy God agreeing for His people to be hanging out with prostitutes, pimps, drug dealers and all the other criminal types that frequent gambling houses? These, therefore, are the reasons for my belief that gambling is against God's word!
The Creator had Christ the Creator son do it. Why not Christ followers?
Now, about money. Money in and of itself is good and very much needed to survive in this world. It is a good and sound thing for everyone to have a sufficient amount of money. God Himself says, "Money answers all things." So, He is not against His people possessing money; but He would definitely be against it if we were to make money our god!

Ok, much has been said as to why Bahamians are not allowed to gamble at the casinos. I don't know all the reasons, but I think I know one of them. Remember the Race Track, Hobby Horse Hall. It was called "The only race track of its kind in the world". And I understand that many poor Bahamians used to go there and gamble all their weekly pay on the horse races and suffer great losses. And therefore many times they would be unable to pay their rent and buy thier grocery.

If Bahamians don't know their priorities in their lives and the gamble all their money away then that is their problem. Many would be burned once or twice but they would learn. Now if a Bahamian has a gambling problem its up to their family to help them.

Gambling is motivated by pure greed, and nothing more.
So is investing in a business. So is learning and becoming good at a trade/job. You do you best so you can earn more money so you can have a better life.

All gamblers desire to get something for nothing.That is not so they put their investment on the table like all the other gamblers. They do not care how much they take from the other players. You mean the other players don't care how much they are willing to loose. And many times the other players are playing with 'scared money', i.e. money they can't afford to lose.
That is the player choice no matter how dumb it is.
As they lose more and more of their 'scared money' they get into trouble. That is the player choice no matter how dumb it is They can't pay their bills, their children get sent to school with no lunch or no lunch money. That is the player choice no matter how dumb it is. Meanwhile the winner is having a ball and proclaiming how great gambling is and how much they won. [QUOTE=bsmbahamas] If my investment on money and time paid off I waould proclaim how great it is as well.

[QUOTE=bsmbahamas]A week later that same person loses a heap of money to the other players and causes a lot of resentment among the gamblers. And of course the bills go unpaid again - which also causes lots of unesseccary anger and stress.
That is the player choice to go back no matter how dumb it is.
Apart from winning every now and then, everything else about gambling is basically bad for the gamblers.

There are better ways to invest money - people can lend money to the government for development projects - the government pays them back with interest over a period of time. It is how shares and bonds works. Nobody is hurt in the process and you still get a return on your investment. It does not involve gambling and the money will be used for the betterment of society.

The government can pay back the money because everyone has to pay taxes to the government - electricity, telecommunication, customs, national insurance, etc.

I have personally seen te devistation that gambling causes, even seen adults crying because they lost all their cash and need food for their kids.
I know it personally When I was in my 20's A guy came around with 3 cards all I had to do was pick the same one twice. I lost all but $20.00 of my pay. It was the last time I was dumb.
I went to Las Veges on a family trip about 40 of us. I sat down at the poker table with the intent to lose $50.00 because that is what I could afford. Do you know how much I lost? I lost a total of $50.00. But had a good time had 2 (socalled) free drinks. I spent my money on the shows and other attractions. Like taking my granddaughter to see Hoover Dam. Never seen so much fresh water in one place.
There is such a thing as responsible gambling, but the various gambling games hardly ever limit the players to a responsible bet - they are usually allowed to play until they los everything, and casinos even give out free cash and food and drinks to keep the players in their seats - knowing full well that the odds are not in the players favour.
Its not up to the business to limit how much a customer can spend.

The simple fact of the matter is that gambling is always either a) one sided, one person has greater odds or b) completely random chance.

Games of skill are a different matter and usually not considered gambling - but everyone has to start of equal and win by using skill not the cards they were dealt - a good example is a pool/billiard tournament. Losing your 'scared money', i.e. money they can't afford to lose. No matter how skillful they are if someone is more skilled "They can't pay their bills, their children get sent to school with no lunch or no lunch money" Just the same.
With you saying the above you nullify your poor mans argument.

Dominos and poker should not qualify since your cards are dealt out randomly, you don't start of with equal chances of winning.