Mormon Leader Denounces Online Betting and Prediction Markets as Morally Wrong

The world of online gambling is under intense scrutiny from one of the most influential religious organizations in the United States. In Salt Lake City, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a high-ranking member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, utilized the grand stage of the semi-annual general conference on Saturday morning to deliver a sharp rebuke. He urgently warned against the increasing accessibility of betting, which has been transformed by the smartphone from an occasional activity into a constant temptation. According to his statements, a dangerous shift is occurring, driving particularly young people into debt traps.

Christofferson did not only target traditional sports betting but specifically took aim at so-called prediction markets. These platforms allow users to wager on the outcome of various events, ranging from weather phenomena to political elections. In Utah, where gambling is constitutionally prohibited, a legal dispute regarding the classification of these services is already simmering. The church leader supported his moral concerns with economic data, making it clear that industry profit is directly linked to the suffering of players.

Numbers and facts

The dimensions of the problem can be read from clear statistics according to Christofferson. He stated that over 45 percent of surveyed adults had engaged in gambling during the previous year. Particularly impressive and simultaneously alarming is the financial power of the industry. The global gambling industry generated a revenue of $758 billion in 2025, illustrating the massive drain of capital from private households.

"The smartphone has transformed gambling from an occasional activity requiring a trip to a casino, racetrack or lottery kiosk into an activity available continuously, privately and almost anywhere. This has led to an explosion in gambling." - Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The industry revenue, often referred to as Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), represents nothing more than the collective loss of the gamblers, according to the church leader. He warned that this development fuels greed and creates no social value. The constant availability on mobile devices massively increases the risk of compulsive behavior.

Background

The timing of this speech is no coincidence. In Utah, a debate is raging over the regulation of prediction markets like Kalshi. Governor Spencer Cox had already pushed back against these platforms in February, labeling them as illegal gambling. A federal ruling in early August initially confirmed that Utah can enforce its strict anti-gambling laws on these new markets. However, Kalshi has appealed, leaving the legal situation complicated. While parts of the US administration argue that such markets belong more to the financial sector, the church insists on their moral depravity. Christofferson even mocked bets on the timing of the Second Coming, rhetorically asking where one would even go to collect such a win.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation in the USA is an interesting reflection, even though the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) sets clear boundaries here. While religious leaders in the USA invoke morality, Germany relies on strict technical regulation by the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). German players must adhere to the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, which is monitored via the central LUGAS system. Furthermore, a stake limit of 1 euro per spin applies to virtual slot machines. These rules serve player protection and are intended to prevent exactly the excesses that Christofferson denounced in his speech. Anyone wishing to play safely in Germany should strictly ensure that the provider is on the official GGL whitelist. Offers from Malta (MGA) or Curacao without a German license do not provide the level of protection required by German law.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed GGL casinos in Germany must meet the strictest requirements to avoid being branded as "morally wrong" or dangerous. This includes automated early detection systems for gambling-addicted behavior and strict compliance with advertising bans during certain hours. In contrast to the USA, where the debate often fluctuates between a total ban and extensive deregulation, the German market offers a controlled framework through the GGL license. For operators, this means a high bureaucratic effort but also legal certainty. Those who violate the rules of the GlüStV 2021 risk not only the revocation of their license but also high fines, making player protection a central business element.