Is the Lottery Haram? Gambling, Betting and Raffles

Q: Is the Lottery Haram?

Yes — gambling, including the lottery, scratch cards, sports betting and casino games, is haram. The Qur'an explicitly forbids maysir (gambling) alongside alcohol. Most scholars also prohibit raffles where you pay for a chance to win, and "matched betting", because they rely on gambling contracts.

Also asked as: “Is gambling haram?” · “Is the lottery halal?” · “Is matched betting halal?”

The evidence

The Qur'an says: "O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling … are an abomination of Satan's work, so avoid them" (5:90). Gambling means paying to enter a game of chance where some win at others' expense.

What counts as gambling

National Lottery, EuroMillions and scratch cards
Sports betting, including "free bets" and matched betting
Casino games, online slots and poker for money
Paid raffles and prize draws — even for charity, according to most scholars

What is fine

Free-entry competitions and prizes, and games like cards or board games played without money, are not gambling. Some scholars dislike certain games for other reasons.

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The evidence

What counts as gambling

What is fine

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