After reading about the LDS plans to build a second temple in Las Vegas, a question came to me. Since a large number of Mormons live in Las Vegas, I was wondering if Mormons are allowed to work in casinos (if they don't gamble), or work as servers or bartenders who serve alcohol.

TIA for any informed answers!

I lived in Las Vegas for a year and joke goes... The Mafia runs Vegas at night and the Mormons during the day. Yes Mormons work in the casino business.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, Vegas hospitality workers were denied TRs if they were bartenders or card dealers. Owners however could get a TR. This was too hypocritical even for Mormons to tolerate, and the restriction was dropped in the late 1960s I believe.

Are there really Mormons who work as card dealers in LV casinos?
I could envision Mormons working as servers where they need to bring alcoholic drinks to tables in restaurants, but somehow the image of seeing LDS directly facilitating gambling is quite jarring!

Card dealing is highly discouraged.

https://www.ldsliving.com/playing-cards-what-the-prophets-have-actually-said/s/86036

Actually the article doesn’t mention being a dealer at all. A dealer is not gambling, just doing a job. I see no difference between that and serving drinks, or playing pro football on Sunday.

As long as they pay tithing on what they make...

Ah, yes, the heart of the matter.

Interesting issue!

Gaming dealers often receive "tips," typically from players, after a winning hand or at the end of a winning run of luck.

Is that income they have to pay tithing on, or is it seen as a direct result of gambling?

And does the TR interview include any questions that would reveal the interviewee "strive" to make money by gambling or wagering?


Is it okay to 'gamble' if you have a net loss for set periods of time?  Can you bet on BYU games if BYU never wins?  Is ghawd pissed if you make money by betting against BYU; is that a double sin?

Ask Howard Hughes.

Yep. Hughes hired mormons, specifically, to work in his casinos and management. He foolishly thought that they were so honest, they wouldn't steal from his casinos. Little did he know.

My family played cards, sometimes card games associated with gambling~ blackjack and poker. We didn't play for $$$, just bragging rights.

At church, the priesthood would set goals~ it could be for hometeaching, temple trips or service projects. Which ever group did the most they won bragging rights and could rib others all month long.

I was reminded over and over that what the Goops did as a family (my honest answer to card playing) was wrong. I really didn't want to answer what my family did for fun. The Goops would not do scripture chases (looking up verses) for fun.

What is the difference between a person who speculates about the possible increase in value in stock and the schmuck who invests in a lottery ticket? To me it's the same thing, but not to church leaders.

Now the church encourages members to play Temple Bingo games and GC bingo. That used to be a terrible thing, playing bingo.

I was told many times to stop playing cards.

In a 1984 Q&A published in the New Era, a former stake president from Ammon, Idaho, shared this advice:

“While it is best to avoid the use of ‘playing cards,’ my personal experiences indicate that our family has enjoyed many benefits from playing games with cards. At a time when amusements are generally enjoyed alone, for example TV viewing and video game playing, we in our family like to play card games together. It has been both unifying and has provided the arena for much give and take. All in all, playing card games has given us many delightful moments.”

Messy adds- This wasn't my experience in the church. This was one of my sins where I was told that I needed to repent of and refrain from doing.

Card games are so harmless as long as you are playing just for fun or for inconsequential stakes. My parents hosted another couple for a weekly Pinochle game and desert for many years. It was a great way for them to enjoy the company of friends.

Some people 'earn' a handsome living gambling, especially poker (other games 'Not so much');

Would a knowing Bp ask or expect tithing on gambling income?

I believe the IRS rules are that taxes are due on gambling income.

etadd: Casinos know what the odds of each of their games are, whether or not the odds are manipulated appears to be an open question.

I had a next-door neighbor who managed a small-ish casino, he told me that a ~ 25% margin was sufficient to pay expenses + pay investors.


Las Vegas: the city that losers built!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2024 12:36PM by GNPE.

Yes! There was a very nice woman in our ward I was friendly with who used to work in a bar. No one ever criticized her for it to my knowledge although she didn't drink herself.

From the POV of a casino owner, it makes good sense to employ people who are less likely to have a problem with gambling themselves.

We had "Vegans" (!) in our ward for a while and one of them pointed out that most people in Las Vegas don't work on the strip. So I guess most Mormons there are indirectly involved in it. As for crime involvement, it beggars belief that the Mafia was allowed to establish a toehold in Nevada.

>> We had "Vegans" (!) in our ward for a while and one of them pointed out that most people in Las Vegas don't work on the strip.

Your comment made me curious about the numbers. Statewide, about 27% of adults work in the gaming industry. I would imagine the percentage would be at least somewhat higher in Las Vegas.