[Chancellor Palpatine]

Its not a sin.

However, given where his living was coming from, it was stupid to assume there would be no blowback if it got out.

He needs to decide where his living comes from - as a pundit and editor of some pretty neat books on morality, or as a professional gambler - because the two cannot be sychronised. A car dealer, a doctor, a lawyer, a real estate developer, PJ O'Rourke or George Will could get away with it - but not Bill Bennett, because Bill Bennett has made his whole speaking and writing reputation on the notion of virtue.

[Bluntpoint]

The questions are:

If this side of Bennett was publicly known, how many speaking engagements would not have been offered him? How many books would not have been purchased? How many TV and radio gigs may not have been offered?

For me it is the same old question or maxim of "virtue."

"Don't do in private what you would not want to be made public."

[eccl1212]

... I am not sure it's a sin either...
but WHO did he do the gambling with.. an illegal bookie, or did he go to nevada and do it legally...

If he did it with a bookie, or certain NEVADA type gambling establishments... that money most likely went into throwing games and organized crime.

and although gambling is not a sin, we all take "chances" everyday... his "investment" in gambling institutions, may have gone to support other criminal enterprises.

perhaps he did it all with state lottery tickets...
I don't care, I just don't perk up to listen everytime he says "thou shalt not" anymore... and never will again.

Gambling addiction and debts are the type of things used to discredit witnesses in legal proceedings. It may not be a sin, but it certainly impacts MY perception of HIS character.