gambling
Americannoun
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the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance for money or other stakes.
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the act or practice of risking the loss of something important by taking a chance or acting recklessly.
If you don't back up your data, that's gambling.
Etymology
Origin of gambling
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And while Americans may think Nevada — home of gambling mecca Las Vegas — would be the state with the most handle, other states have overtaken the Silver State in recent years.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
The Nevada Gaming Control Board, which regulates the local gambling industry and controls state gambling licenses, has taken a strong stance against prediction markets.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
These safeguards would have been available had the sector been regulated by gambling laws, with some introduced as part of the voluntary code.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Apollo in 2024 announced a similar deal where it would acquire two companies and combine them, in this case Everi Holdings and the gambling and slot-machine business of International Game Technology.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
Women and men wave their gambling tokens in the air.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
