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 popularity of gambling on sports has come with consequences for some consumers. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Texas Tech football was thrust into a national controversy this week when transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby checked into gambling addiction rehab. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Jones, 49, said the goal of the sports betting conspiracy was to use his insider knowledge of injuries to players to make money gambling. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. —Don Sweeney april 28, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gambling

• anti-gambling

Rhymes for gambling

• ambling
• scrambling
• shambling