On June 22, 2024, a self-proclaimed prophet in Zimbabwe made headlines when he was banned from a casino after winning $30,000. He claimed that God had given him a winning formula through a vision.
The incident sparked a debate surrounding the relationship between religion, gambling, and fairness in the casino industry.
The man declared that he was given a 'gambling key ' by God.
Emmanuel Mutumwa, the leader of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic Sect in Zimbabwe, claimed that God had given him a winning formula for gambling.
However, Mutumwa's celebration of the win was short-lived, as other casinos in Zimbabwe barred him from placing any more bets.
They were concerned that as a 'prophet', he might be receiving unfair divine guidance on lucky numbers.
Archbishop Mutumwa expressed his dissatisfaction with the casinos' decisions.
The Prophet declared that casinos feard his special ability in gambling.
The religious leader claimed that the casinos feared he was receiving unfair divine assistance, and worried that they would go bankrupt because he would continue to win.
He said his win was not due to luck, but rather his faith in God. He used the prize money to pay school fees for some members of his congregation and provide startup capital for businesses.
“They claim that since I am a prophet, I am receiving visions from God about the winning numbers,"
Casinos ban 'Prophet' after his claim that God gave him a 'winning formula' to win $30K
A manager at one of the casinos said they had to protect the integrity of the games, and could not allow anyone to have an unfair advantage, even if it was through divine intervention.
The casinos insisted that all gamblers must have an equal chance of winning.
Mutumwa argued that his winnings were legitimate, as he was simply following the guidance he had received from God.
"God has blessed me with this talent, and I am using the money to support my flock. Those who criticize me for gambling are hypocrites," Mutumwa stated.
However, the casinos remained firm in their decision to ban him, stating that they could not take the risk of allowing someone with purported supernatural powers to participate in their games.
Previously, a woman named Elena Penaloza won a $1 million lottery jackpot thanks to her superstition.
Elena believed that itchy palms were a sign of impending financial luck.
A week before buying the winning Scratchers ticket, Elena felt her palms itching and decided to purchase a 'Diamon 8's' Scratchers ticket.
When Elena scratched off the ticket, she was overjoyed to see the $1,000,000 prize amount revealed.
Both she and her daughter were in disbelief at first, wondering if it was just a prank. To confirm their incredible fortune, they went back to the convenience store the next day to have the ticket scanned, which verified the large win.
The belief that itchy palms signify upcoming monetary gains dates back to ancient stories and various cultural traditions, particularly in Vedic Astrology.
