What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gambling
Example
He has a gambling addiction and can't stop betting on sports. [gambling: noun]
Example
She enjoys gambling at the casino on weekends. [gambling: verb]
wagering
Example
He placed a wager on his favorite team to win the championship. [wagering: noun]
Example
She enjoys wagering on horse races and studying the odds. [wagering: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gambling is more commonly used than wagering in everyday language. Gambling is a well-known term that is often associated with casinos and other forms of gaming, while wagering may be less familiar to some people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gambling and wagering?
Both gambling and wagering can be used in formal and informal contexts, but wagering may be seen as slightly more formal due to its association with legal and regulated betting.
