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

All of it comes after a regular season marred by a tanking epidemic so widespread that Silver implemented new rules going into next season, an ongoing gambling saga and a controversy surrounding the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. —Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 June 2026

The school will also continue to support the quarterback in his battle off the field with an addiction to gambling. —Trey Wallace, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

In the 1960s, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras and Green Bay Packers halfback Paul Hornung were suspended for gambling. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gambling

• anti-gambling

Rhymes for gambling

• ambling
• scrambling
• shambling