In reviewing your Minutes for 15 March 1967, we note Item 25-8
in which the Treasurer suggests a lottery as means of disposing of a Persian
carpet which has been given to you by one of the believers. We do not feel this
is an appropriate way in which to raise funds....
As far as individuals are concerned, we have carefully
studied the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi on this point and it is
apparent that such subsidiary matters are not recorded in the Holy Texts. The
Universal House of Justice is not prepared to decide at this time whether the
purchase of lottery tickets should be permitted or prohibited.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter
of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, July 4,
1967: Extracts Concerning Gambling, Lotteries and Raffles, a compilation of the
Universal House of Justice; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
