ABSTRACT. A California casino owned by members of a Mormon fundamentalist sect has been operating under a provisional license for the last two decades. Gambling is motivated by a desire to get something for nothing and leads participants away from the Savior's teachings of love and service. Gambling diverts the soul away from Christ's teachings of humility, faith, self-reliance, and service, and leads one away from honesty and. [HOST] › question › mormons-gambling. Traditionally, Mormons have opposed gambling as acquiring "money from the person who may be possessed of it without giving value received in return. Border towns that provide a specialized service for residents of adjacent political units are a common geographic phenomena. No the LDS church does not own casinos. In Mormon theology, gambling is not strictly forbidden, like smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol or beverages with caffeine; it is viewed as. In face want no tithing paid to the church from gambling winnings. " But that. It's our understanding that in Mormon theology, gambling isn't strictly forbidden, as are smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol and beverages with caffeine. . California regulators are working to shut down a casino with ties to a Utah Mormon fundamentalist group known to practice polygamy. Nevada.