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

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025

The couple is on a honeymoon trip to Western Europe, but Dostoyevsky’s gambling addiction threatens to ruin them both. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025

During Toney’s eight-month ban for breaking gambling rules and then departure from the club, Wissa transitioned from a winger to a striker as can be seen below. —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 22 May 2025

The son of late casino legend Stanley Ho, the younger Ho has also been expanding his gambling empire beyond Macau following Beijing’s years-long crackdown on capital outflow through gambling in the Asian gaming hub. —Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gambling

• anti-gambling

Rhymes for gambling

• ambling
• scrambling
• shambling