February 17, 2026
Super Bowl betting hits record $1.76B; CBMC says faith, not fortune, should guide leaders
Christian Business Men’s Connection calls men to biblical principles of stewardship, integrity and lasting wealth amid record gambling projections
CHATTANOOGA, TN — As Americans prepared to wager a record $1.76 billion on Super Bowl LX, according to the American Gaming Association, Christian business leaders are warning against the spiritual and financial dangers of get-rich-quick thinking.
Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) said the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting presents a timely opportunity for men in the marketplace to examine where they place their trust.
The Super Bowl remains the single largest sports betting event in the United States, with states increasingly embracing gambling revenue. Yet the organization says Scripture offers enduring wisdom about wealth, integrity and the pursuit of quick riches.
Proverbs 13:11 states, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Proverbs 28:20 similarly warns, “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”
“The surge in sports betting reflects a broader cultural appetite for immediate results and easy money,” said CBMC Director of Programs, Matt Trayler. “But Scripture consistently teaches that lasting wealth and lasting trust are built over time, through faithfulness and integrity.”
The organization emphasizes that men in CBMC’s Young Professionals program have grown up in a culture where sports betting apps and online wagering are widely accessible. Leaders say this environment requires intentional discipleship rooted in biblical truth.
CBMC equips men to trust in the Lord, who sees, knows and controls all that exists. Through its Trusted Advisor Forums, the ministry offers Gospel-centered peer advisory groups designed to help professionals navigate business and life decisions with wisdom and accountability.
“There is no shortcut to building trust — not in business, not in relationships and not with God,” Traylor added. “Men need other like-minded men walking alongside them, challenging them and pointing them back to biblical principles when cultural pressures push in the opposite direction.”
CBMC leaders note that gambling itself is often framed as entertainment, but the Bible repeatedly cautions against placing confidence in uncertain gain or elevating money above trust in God. Psalm 20:7 declares, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
In an era marked by digital convenience and instant transactions, the ministry says the deeper issue is not merely wagering on a game, but the condition of the heart. When financial gain becomes a source of security or identity, it can subtly displace reliance on God’s provision and sovereignty.
Traylor said, “Our culture celebrates risk-taking when it promises fast returns, but God’s Word calls us to faithfulness, patience and stewardship. True success is measured not by a winning bet, but by a life surrendered to Christ and lived with integrity in the marketplace.”
As Super Bowl spending climbs, Christian Business Men’s Connection is encouraging men to evaluate their motivations, steward their resources wisely and pursue wealth that honors God and benefits others.
Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) exists to see men’s lives, families and workplaces transformed by God through a growing evangelism and discipleship movement in every community across the nation. Reaching, empowering and deploying generations of men in the workplace to live out their faith and multiply their impact for Christ is now more relevant than ever. As men strive for meaningful lives, CBMC is prepared to share the hope of the Gospel and offer essential tools for spiritual growth. Through Gospel-centered peer advisory groups and mentoring relationships, CBMC helps professionals achieve their business objectives and personal development goals.
For more information, visit the CBMC website at https://www.cbmc.com/.
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To interview a Christian Business Men’s Connection representative, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.
