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

The announcement follows the federal government’s crackdown on illicit sports gambling and point-shaving schemes that involved the NBA in October. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026

The indictment alleged the existence of a gambling ring that pulled in at least 39 players across mostly low and mid-major schools, 20 of whom were charged. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

In October, a gambling scandal enveloped the NBA. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

By 2024, police said street racing events were becoming more dangerous and often spurred other crimes like gun sales and gambling. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gambling

• anti-gambling

Rhymes for gambling

• ambling
• scrambling
• shambling