1 [no object] : to play a game in which you can win or lose money or possessions : to bet money or other valuable things
I like to gamble.
He’s been drinking and gambling heavily.
gambling at cards
— often + on
She likes to gamble on football games.
2 [+ object] a : to risk losing (an amount of money) in a game or bet — often + on
He would often gamble hundreds of dollars on a hand of poker.
2 b : to risk losing (something valuable or important) in order to do or achieve something — often + on
She gambled [=risked] everything she owned to start the business.
The company is gambling [=betting, risking] everything on this strategy.
3 : to do something that could have the good result that you want or a bad result that you cannot control — often + on
[no object]
The mayor is gambling with the city’s future.
Many people are willing to gamble on the new treatment.
[+ object]
The mayor is gambling that the new policies will help rather than hurt the city.
— gambler /ˈgæmblɚ/ noun, plural gamblers [count]
The casino attracts many wealthy gamblers.