Indonesian cleric clarifies when Independence Day games become gambling

As Indonesia prepares to celebrate its Independence Day on August 17th, a common tradition of community competitions and games raises questions among Muslims about whether these activities constitute gambling. Ustaz Luky Nugroho, an Islamic cleric, has provided clarification on the matter, explaining that the classification depends on the specific mechanics and stakes involved.

Speaking via the Rumah Fiqih platform, Ustaz Luky stated that whether an August 17th competition qualifies as gambling is not a simple yes or no answer. "The size of a game, competition, or similar activity being categorized as gambling or not can be easily distinguished," he explained.

He outlined four key elements that, if present, would lead to a competition being classified as gambling. Firstly, there must be at least two parties involved in betting, either directly or indirectly. Direct betting occurs when participants wager against each other, while indirect betting involves choosing sides in a competition and betting on their outcome.

Secondly, a stake of property must be involved. This property can take various forms, including money, services, or vehicles. For example, betting that a favored sports team will win, with the loser providing a week of house cleaning services, would be considered gambling.

Thirdly, a system or mechanism, such as a game, lottery, or draw, must be in place to determine the winner and loser. While the element of chance is often associated with gambling, Ustaz Luky emphasized that the core issue is the existence of a winner and a loser, coupled with the other conditions, rather than just the randomness of the outcome. The presence of these factors, particularly when combined with betting and property stakes, determines if a competition crosses the line into gambling according to Islamic principles.

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The size of a game, competition, or similar activity being categorized as gambling or not can be easily distinguished.