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April 22, 2004 GreatControversy.org column by David Qualls
Why I Operate a Gambling Casino
Please note that this column will make sense only if you have first read the Review editorial “Why I Coach”, March 18, 2004, page 6 (see page 6 at the following link: http://www.adventistreview.org/pdf/2004/1512-2004.pdf) and are familiar with the Spirit of Prophecy and Bible counsel on this subject.
I don’t run a gambling casino to win money.
This statement may surprise you. After all, isn’t that what gambling is—to do whatever it takes to win and make money? Aren’t casino operators supposed to set up the games, the slot machines, and card tables so as to defeat the gambling patron? Aren’t casino operators supposed to do everything in their power to take whatever they can from their customers?
I suppose some of this is true. As an operator I do have to motivate and urge my employees to do everything they can to beat the customer at his game. And of course, as a casino operator I want my employees and my machines to excel and win games.
But this isn’t what operating a casino is all about. Far from it. And too often, casino operators get caught up in the gaming statistics, neglecting the fact that their employees need more from them than a plan on how to destroy the customer’s chance of winning. Especially in the secular world when we see casino operators using dishonest techniques to beat their customers out of their life savings; and when we hear about casino operators treating the poor customers and the employees (not to mention the neighbors surrounding the casino) in a way that is dishonest and unfair we realize that the Bible and Ellen White’s cautions are utterly plausible [but only then]. But what about when one is a Christian operating a gambling casino? What really becomes the focus of gambling? And is it difficult to take the hard edge of gambling for personal, earthly gain away from the business of gambling?
Yes. But it is possible—and there are Christian casino operators out there who prayerfully do it each day.
While I don’t gamble for the thrill of the victory, I do gamble for the thrill of victory. Victory that I see as gambling skills improve. As lives change. Victory as I see Jesus emerge in casino players’ attitudes and behaviors.
My wife and I became the casino operators of Las Vegas Union College’s gambling casino about six years ago (I am still working with them). We recruited almost our entire team of casino employees from academies and high schools across the United States, and stepped into a role we later realized was pivotal.
As the year progressed, we got questions directed to us on many topics. From what classes to take to how to roll the dice correctly, from tips on dating and questions about marriage to questions about Adventism and Christianity, the two of us became more than casino operators directing plays on the floor. We became counselors. And friends.
We tended to wounds: both mental and spiritual. We helped (at least we tried) to put things in perspective: the games of the casino, win or lose, were never more important than God, studies, or their futures. It was a way to socialize, have fun, build friendships, and learn discipline. And even though we were the proclaimed teachers, at times I felt I was the student—with lives and experiences making their own marks upon me.
Sitting on the side and feeling angry stares as we dismiss two of our best card dealers for being late to a casino staff meeting. Waiting in the debt counseling center as employees and customers were counseled about the debts they had run up while in our casino...
In its own special way gambling can be a ministry, a mission to a group of people sometimes overlooked by evangelism enthusiasts.
Is operating a casino difficult? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Eternally. That is why I gamble.
* Names have been changed.
NOTE: The above spoof shows the tragedy of what happens when our own Review, the self-proclaimed flagship journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, sets about to undermine the plain counsels of God. It is truly amazing how the human mind can twist, rationalize, deflect, and otherwise ignore clear teachings from God’s prophets; His inspired testimony. We are certainly living in troublous times. Our desire is that our church and the editors of the Review will awaken and return to the simple, plain ways of true Godliness. The hour is too late to do otherwise.
Satan has devised a multitude of ways in which to keep men from serving God. He has invented sports and games, into which men enter with such intensity that one would suppose a crown of life was to reward the winner.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, September 10, 1901, par. 5.
What force of powers is put into your games of football and your other inventions after the way of the Gentiles – exercises which bless no one! Just put the same powers into exercise in doing useful labor, and would not your record be more pleasing to meet in the great day of God?—Ellen G. White, Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 229.
I have not been able to find one instance where He [Christ] educated His disciples to engage in amusement of football or pugilistic [boxing, fighting] games, to obtain physical exercise....—ibid.
But do not substitute play, pugilistic boxing, football, matched games, and animal exercises, for manual training. All of this stripe and type should be vigilantly prohibited from the school grounds.—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 11, pp. 160-161.
The Lord has blessed me, greatly blessed me, as I have taken my position in regard to the amusement question and the games which have been unwisely introduced by the faculty, without one word of counsel with me. We should not forget the things which have happened in the past in America. Little did I suppose that these games would be introduced and carried on upon the anniversary of the opening of our school in Cooranbong. Was this the service of thanksgiving that should have been rendered to God? I feel so sorry as I think of this, and I am instructed to say, All these movements should be sharply rebuked; for there has been no sparing of instruction on this point.—Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, Vol. 8 pp. 74-75.
