Bishop Scores Prayerful Lotto Bettors

MANILA, Nov. 3, 2010-Invoking God to win lotto and other forms of gambling for that matter is a 'defective' practice of religiosity, a Catholic prelate said.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said gambling is incompatible with Christianity and invoking God of good luck is flawed.

"It's sort of not exactly right because there's a right way of expressing spirituality and religious sentiments. It's a defect," said Iñiguez.

The prelate was reacting to reports that some bettors pray hard inside churches for signs so they could pick the winning combination in the lotto draw.

He also scored lotto bettors who reportedly wipe their tickets to images of saints inside churches as they pray for good fortune.

Millions of lotto bettors across the country are expected to queue this week in a bid to become instant millionaires and get out from poverty.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said no one won the P295-million jackpot of the 6/55 Grand Lotto draw Monday.

The hefty jackpot prize has hit around P300-million mark with its draw set tonight.

The Catholic hierarchy opposes gambling in any form, saying it is a menace to society and deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and spiritual life. (CBCPNews)