Allowing a tenant to keep a slot machine in his shop

Q: I have a tenant who is renting from me and he has game machines in his shop which people put money into it to play. Now my tenant wants to put a slot machine where a player puts money inside and the player then wins money from the machine.

Is it permissible for me to allow the tenant to put such a machine in the shop?

A: If the game machine or slot machine is such that one has to put money in to play and one has a chance of winning money or not winning any money, then this is not permissible as this is regarded as gambling.

Gambling is where one is required to spend money for acquiring something that is uncertain. One may acquire the thing one wishes or one may not acquire it.

Since the element of gambling (i.e. uncertainty) is found in the game machine and slot machine, it will not be permissible for one to play it nor will it be permissible for one to keep it in his store as one will be promoting gambling and becoming the means for people getting involved in gambling.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)