Of course, the Christian should avoid misuse or abuse of funds for gambling. However, the idea that gambling is simple entertainment needs to be challenged as well, for the involvement is often not simple. An intrinsic part of the Christian tradition regards the monies available for gambling as the monies of the poor. That is to say, if those who gamble are wealthy enough to put money into games of chance, then a glance at Jesus' teaching in the Gospels suggests that they use the money to help the poor. One might argue that the good causes to which wagered money is contributed fulfils this Christian challenge, as is often the case in local or community fundraising events that use gambling.
Many people do take advantage of such opportunities to donate to a good cause.
Donating to a good cause can often be completely lost track of in the thrill of gambling, in the escape from responsibility, in the almost anti-social atmosphere of commerce with a machine for hours. If there is money for gambling, perhaps we have simply not looked seriously enough at the gift of extra monies that God has given us to be used for good purposes. And if there is time for gambling, perhaps we need to look at whether we are allowing boredom to push us, not into concern for others, but into the bright lights and action that will fill our hours for a price. The Christian challenge in the face of gambling is not to stop with a moral evaluation. Rather it is to look into the face and heart of Christ and see how Love motivates us to love our neighbor.