Q&A: Informed Gambling
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Informed Gambling
Question
Hello Rabbi!
Recently I discovered an app for betting on whether things will happen or not (for example, whether the ceasefire will go into effect in the coming days or not, and the like).
At first glance this seems a bit like informed gambling, but there are also things that really aren’t something one can know.
In any case, is this permitted according to Jewish law?
Thank you!
Answer
In my opinion, this does not involve asmachta if the money is on the table—that is, when it is not in your hands whether or not to pay. But one should not engage only in this instead of earning a living through work, and in general it is proper to avoid gambling.