WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention has a long-standing history of opposing gambling in its various forms and recognizes its destructive potential; and
WHEREAS, An increasing majority of states are now promoting and regulating sports betting since the 2018 Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association allowed states to legalize the practice, contributing to it becoming one of the fastest-growing enterprises in the world; and
WHEREAS, Sports betting continues to advance and integrate itself into modern athletics at both the professional and collegiate levels; and
WHEREAS, The rapid expansion of legalized sports betting presents significant spiritual, moral, ethical, and societal concerns; and
WHEREAS, The normalization of sports betting commodifies participants, risks compromising the integrity of athletic competition, and jeopardizes the safety of competitors; and
WHEREAS, The sports betting industry fosters a culture of greed while specifically exploiting and preying upon young adults, the impoverished, and those with addictive personality traits; and
WHEREAS, The influence of sports betting has been heightened due to the ease and accessibility of online and mobile platforms, which facilitate decreased accountability and increased fiscal irresponsibility by users, having led to never-before-seen levels of gambling addiction and financial ruin; and
WHEREAS, Sports betting does not comply with the biblical principles of stewardship, work, and integrity, encouraging reckless management of resources entrusted to us by our sovereign Lord (Exodus 20:9,17; Matthew 6:19-34; Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:17-19); now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Dallas, Texas, June 10-11, 2025, condemn sports betting in all its forms; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we denounce the promotion and normalization of this predatory industry in every athletic context; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our deep concern regarding its detrimental impact on individuals, families, and communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we hold forth the caution of Scripture that “those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon corporations involved in this industry to cease their exploitative practices; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge our leaders at all levels of government to curtail sports betting and to address its disastrous effects through policy and legislation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage our Southern Baptist Convention leaders, entities, and pastors to continue to educate our churches on the deceptive sin of gambling through biblical instruction and practical resources while providing compassionate support and counseling to those struggling with gambling addiction and its consequences; and be it finally RESOLVED, That we call upon our fellow Southern Baptists and all other followers of Christ to repent where needed, mourn the ubiquitous presence of sports betting in our culture, and refuse to participate in the sin of gambling.