Ethical Alternatives to Gambling

Recently, some of my friends suggested I write about the legalization of casinos in Pakistan. However, as an Islamic country where sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah, the idea of a “Halal Casino” is inherently contradictory. So why did I consider writing about it? Maybe I got carried away with my endless blogging, or perhaps I wanted to explore ethical, non-gambling-based financial models.

This topic aligns with my personal experiences and technical expertise, particularly in alternative wealth distribution models. That’s why I feel qualified to share my thoughts on it.

_{Completion of Pizza Lottery, Image by the author.}

A Lottery Without Loss

In 2019, I wrote in my business ideas diary: Success starts with the vision of success. At the time, I had no idea that one of my early concepts would eventually materialize, but in an unexpected way.

One of my earliest ideas was a lottery system where users could receive a daily lottery ticket without spending money, simply by logging in. The prize pool would grow through ad revenues, making it self-sustaining. Back then, I didn’t fully grasp the difference between an idea and execution.

Later, for my final year project (FYP), I worked on Pizza Lottery, a blockchain-based system where users could win pizza tokens and claim rewards through a grid-based mechanism. It was inspired by the Million Dollar Homepage project.

However, this wasn’t gambling, it was about gamification, incentives, and fair wealth distribution.

The Bigger Picture: A Bond That Never Expires

Casinos exploit human psychology through high-risk, high-reward mechanics. However, blockchain-based models introduce ethical alternatives, such as no-loss lotteries and reward-based engagement.

_{Drawmatic, Image contributed by Yaziris}

On Hive Blockchain

I realized I couldn't launch Pizza Lottery on Hive or extend it to all Tribe Tokens. The idea was great but required significant capital to start.

I discussed it with @yaziris to see if he could launch something similar. Neither of us liked the original design as it was too complex and theoretical. So, Yaziris simplified the concept and created @Drawmatic, which serves a similar purpose but in a more practical way.

Now, I use Drawmatic as an alternative to SBI for gifting others.

A Shariah-Compliant Wealth-Building Bond in Pakistan

Imagine a financial system where your money stays yours while generating returns. A system that’s accessible to everyone, even those with low income, helping them achieve financial stability without risk.

How It Works

• Participants pool their money, but their principal remains untouched.

• Funds are reinvested into Shariah-compliant businesses and projects.

• Profits are periodically distributed to random bond holders.

• The entry cost starts as low as 1 PKR (~$0.0036).

_{Two kids discovering joy in simplicity, Image by the author.}

Helping the Underprivileged

People with little to no savings can invest small amounts and still grow financially. For example, a taxi driver renting a car can access interest-free Shariah loans to own their vehicle over time. Renters can gradually buy their homes instead of paying rent forever.

A Fair & Sustainable Model

Unlike lotteries, this system ensures no one loses their money. Investments grow, and returns are fairly distributed, giving everyone a chance to improve their financial standing while contributing to society. This not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the economy, providing a sustainable and Shariah-compliant path to wealth.

Would such a model be viable in Pakistan? That’s a discussion worth having.

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