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https://doi.org/10.34075/cs.61.3.2
Moral Judgment of Gambling
Vladimir Dugalić
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet u Đakovu Sveučilišta J. J. Strossmayernu Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Games of chance are not morally wrong in themselves if they are a form of social entertainment within the virtue of temperance—that is, if the agreement by which the parties commit to giving a prize to the winner is respected, excluding any form of deceit or fraud. However, gambling, betting, and other forms of games of chance have today become a serious social issue, as many individuals, in pursuit of quick profit, fall into forms of pathological addiction. The original purpose of social play has been lost, which consequently calls for a re-examination of traditional moral judgment. Indeed, addiction to gambling undermines a person’s dignity and often leads to the loss of property, bringing entire families to the brink of poverty. Gambling and betting addiction destroys all family and social relationships because the addict falls into increasing debt, from which there is often no escape, and frequently resorts to lies, theft, and fraud. In morally assessing a person trapped in such addiction, it is necessary to consider the extent to which they have lost control, that is, to what degree their critical judgment and freedom of choice and decision-making have been diminished. As with other forms of addiction, a sinful habit has been formed, and one can speak of moral responsibility in causa, meaning it is important to assess how much the addict could have foreseen the harmful and sinful consequences of their acquired habit. The addict cannot be said to act with full deliberate will, as they are ill and their personality is no longer free: they feel an irresistible urge to gamble.
However, a gambling addict is not exempt from responsibility and is obliged to seek help and begin the healing process. If someone, after treatment, resumes gambling, that person must then be considered fully responsible for all consequences. In the practice of confession, it is necessary to act prudently and discern what kind of gambler one is dealing with, and not deny absolution to someone who is repentant and striving to escape the hell of gambling. Such a person should be shown God’s mercy and offered support—something that cannot be said for someone who refuses to acknowledge the gravity of their sinful state and does not wish to change their life. In certain cases, when dealing with pathological gamblers, absolution from sin must be conditioned upon the obligation to undergo treatment or to make restitution if significant harm or injustice has been caused to others.
Ključne riječi
gambling; moral judgment; addiction; responsibility; confession; absolution
Hrčak ID:
352336
URI
Datum izdavanja:
21.10.2026.
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