“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” – Proverbs 13:11
There is a rich history surrounding the NCAA Division 1 men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments which take place every March. The single-elimination format for both tournaments facilitates exciting games that ultimately produce a national collegiate championship team for both men’s and women’s basketball.
Since 1939, these thrilling tournaments have become a cultural event that Americans enthusiastically attend and watch, which is known as March Madness. Unfortunately, excitement, entertainment, and great competitive basketball are not the only things that March Madness is associated with.
Once again, just like the NFL Super Bowl, another great American sports spectacle, March Madness has opened a window into the American culture which reveals that we have a serious gambling problem. According to the American Gaming Association, it is expected that Americans will have bet a record-breaking $3.1 billion on games during March Madness, which will outpace last year’s bets of $2.7 billion.
In February, Americans gambled $1.39 billion on the Super Bowl alone. By far, 2025 is on track to becoming the most lucrative year for the gambling industry in the history of our nation. Sadly, many Americans are gambling away their hard-earned money that needs to be directed to taking care of their family. There is no other way to put it, our American culture is head-deep in a serious gambling problem.
LET US PRAY…
Father, please open the eyes of Americans to Your wisdom so that they may see that gambling is truly a waste of resources that ultimately You have provided for us. Lord, strengthen Your people to be effective advocates and reveal to others the dangers associated with gambling. Father, may our nation truly see the addictive and harmful realities that gambling brings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
