ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gambling

n.
US //ˈɡæmbəɫɪŋ// UK //ɡˈæmblɪŋ// gam·bling
  1. 1 betting money (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the act of playing games of chance for money.

    the activity of wagering money or stakes on an uncertain outcome, typically involving a combination of risk and chance.

    Example

    He lost a lot of money because of his gambling habit.

    Example

    The government introduced stricter regulations to address the social consequences of problem gambling in urban areas.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before other nouns like 'addiction' or 'debts'.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'gaming' is often used by the industry as a softer synonym, 'gambling' is the standard term used by the general public and in legal contexts.
Origin

By surface analysis, gamble + -ing.

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