gambling

noun

gam·​bling ˈgam-b(ə-)liŋ 

: the practice or activity of betting : the practice of risking money or other stakes in a game or bet

illegal gambling

compulsive gambling

Then, within the past 18 months, after the explosion in Internet gambling … and the cable TV debut of the World Poker Tour, the game took off again.

—Walter Kirn

—often used before another noun

a gambling game

gambling regulations

a gambling empire

Examples of gambling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Markets may increasingly reward gambling in the short run, but lasting wealth—whether in biotechnology or any other sector—still comes from rigorous analysis, patience, and an unwavering commitment to investing rather than betting. — Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Social media and online gaming and gambling also pose dangers for children, the report notes, citing surveys showing that hundreds of children and teens across Southeast Asia are engaged in online gambling, some to the extent of addiction. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Ryan Gold was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, having allegedly shared confidential information about the Cardinals’ draft picks. — Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 21 July 2026

But Gunther said there were idiosyncratic boosts, such as for event tickets and gambling with the World Cup. — Alex Harring,sarah Min, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gambling

• anti-gambling

Rhymes for gambling

• ambling
• scrambling
• shambling