Gambling

Sports betting

Q: Is it acceptable to engage in sports betting?

Sports betting involves wagering money on predictions of sports outcomes, such as a player's performance or a team's victory. If the prediction is correct, the better's money can potentially be doubled or tripled. In essence, sports betting revolves around forecasting sports results and staking money on those predictions.

Loyalty club members receiving discounts and entry into competitions

Q: There is a loyalty club business where you pay for a yearly membership and get discounts on a variety of stores. The company also gives you free entries into bi monthly prize draws to win a car, etc.

Since we are not paying money for the entries but are paying for the membership, will it be considered halaal if we win a prize?

Big Sweep gambling

Q: My question is about gambling. In my country, we have something called Big Sweep.

How to play:
1. Buy a ticket at $3 each.
2. Draws on every first Wednesday of each month at 6pm.

Results:
If your ticket number matches any of the 133 winning seven-digit numbers drawn, you win a prize of at least $1,000 and up to $2.3 million. If the last two digits of your ticket number match any of the nine winning two-digit numbers drawn, you win $6.

Is this considered gambling? Many of my Muslim friends are playing. 

Fundraising dinners

Q: Many Muslim organisations have fundraising dinners. The people attending these dinners pay a fee e.g. R300 per person. The names of all the attendees are entered into a draw. After enjoying the dinner, the names are drawn, and the winners of the draw are given prizes e.g. umrah ticket, etc. Is this permissible?

Playing sports for money

Q: I want to ask a few questions about gambling

1. If two teams play cricket for money and the one who loses the match will have to give money, is this permissible?

2. If two teams play cricket for money and the looser will have to give money and the winner uses this money for cricket material, this way both teams will get benefit. Is this permissible?

3. If two teams play cricket for money and the one who loses will have to give food/party to all the teams. Is this permissible?