gambling

gambling
    n 1: 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" [syn: {gambling}, {gaming},
         {play}]
    

gambling \gambling\ n. [p. pr. of {gamble}.]
   the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning
   (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a
   prize); as, his gambling cost him a fortune.

   Syn: gaming, play.
        [WordNet 1.5]
    

Gamble \Gam"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Gambled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Gambling}.] [Dim. of game. See 2d {Game}.]
   To play or game for money or other stake.
   [1913 Webster]
    

35 Moby Thesaurus words for "gambling":
      Cosa Nostra, Mafia, betting, black market, bootlegging,
      cardsharping, casting lots, gaming, gray market, hazarding,
      illegal commerce, illegal operations, illegitimate business,
      illicit business, loan-sharking, moonshining, narcotics traffic,
      organized crime, play, playing, prostitution, protection racket,
      racket, risking, shady dealings, sortition, speculation, sporting,
      staking, the rackets, the syndicate, traffic in women, usury,
      wagering, white slavery