What's the difference between gambling and a raffle?

Question

You are giving away money in hopes of a 'win'. So why do so many Church's hold raffles?

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Answer 1

this is a good question ((((Quella))))
I don't play the lottery because it's a "dream" win...however I will occasionally participate in the odd raffle because I usually support the church (or school or whomever charitable cause). The cause is what I think of not the "win".
I know it's a very fine line. I try to allow the Spirit to guide me.

:D

Answer 2

You do a raffle draw in public, it's called gambling.
You gamble in a church, the christians call it a raffle draw.
Either way it's gambling, and the winners are always the people organising the event. Money goes into their pocket first, leaving crumbs to the gamblers, and peanuts to charity. That's why there is always so much gambling in the guise of raffle draws.

Answer 3

Red wagon has a point. I many times will give to school raffles when kids come to the door. I usually misplace the tickets, so I guess I am not too worried about the prize. My church does not raise money in that fashion, but to answer your question, I would say the only difference is that with some raffles, you have the thought you might be helping a cause. With gambling, you are only making deep pockets deeper.

Answer 4

Didn't the soldiers at the foot of the cross draw lots for Jesus' clothes? Not a vote for gambling of any kind the way I see it. I agree that churches shouldn't hold raffles. It's trying to get something for nothing (or next to nothing) - must be something in Proverbs about that. Churches do it to raise money but if people would tithe properly it wouldn't be necessary. It's also not "loving your neighbor" in a way. You wouldn't offer a "little drink" to an alcoholic and you shouldn't entice someone to gamble who may have or could develop an addiction to it.

Answer 5

no difference between gambling and raffle only word....To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest.
To play a game of chance for stakes.
To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.
they are just same

Answer 6

Bingo, Lotto, even the games at Chuck E. Cheese that give tickets for prizes are all gambling. You're spending your money in hopes of getting something in return possibly more valuable than what you spent.

For the life of me, I can't understand why there are states who will not allow Casino Style Gambling, but allow dog tracks and horse racing. Who knows? I don't.

Answer 7

In a raffle, all the purchased tickets are placed in a container of some kind and the winner is chosen from the purchased tickets, so someone is guaranteed to win. In a lottery, several numbers are chosen at random, and anyone (can be more than one person) who matches those numbers (they may or may not have to be in order, it depends on the specific game) wins the prize. Many lotteries have payouts depending on how many numbers were matched. If nobody matches all the numbers, then nobody wins and the pot is increased.

Answer 8

I don't think there is a big difference. That's why we prefer "silent auctions" rather than "raffles' or "bingo".

Your mileage may vary. I don't think it's a big deal as long as the money goes to a good cause and the "prizes" are donated.

God has much more important things to worry about.

Answer 9

The Bible doesn't say that gambling is a sin. The only example of gambling in the Bible is when Samson bet some Philistines that they couldn't answer his riddle. God calls us to be good stewards of the resources that he places in our hands, to take care of the needs of our family, to pay all of our debts, and to bring Him an offering, but He doesn't say that after we have done all of those things we cannot use what is left for entertainment. If someone is just having fun gambling and is not trusting in "luck" or filled with greediness then their gambling is between them and God just like someone who invests their money in the stock market.

Answer 10

arent bingo games at churches also a form of gambling?