ˈbɛtɪŋ ˈdɪsɪpeɪtɪd ˈɡæm.bl̩.ɪŋ ˈɡeɪmɪŋ pleɪ ˈspɔɹtɪŋ ˈspɔːtɪŋ the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize) his gambling cost him a fortune there was heavy play at the blackjack table preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and especially games of chance led a dissipated life a betting man a card-playing son of a bitch a gambling fool sporting gents and their ladies