gambling-house

A man walks past a brightly lit gambling-house at night.

Definition

Noun: - An establishment where gambling is conducted: "gambling-house" refers to a building or place specifically operated for the purpose of betting money or valuables on games of chance, such as cards, dice, or roulette.

Usage Examples

• (Authorities entered and shut down a place where unauthorized betting occurred.)
• (He spent all his money while betting at a gaming establishment.)
• (Historical fiction often describes the seedy environment of such places.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep a gambling-house": to own or manage such an establishment.
  • He was arrested for keeping a gambling-house without a license. (He was charged with operating an unlicensed betting venue.)
• "gambling-house den": a less formal or secretive gambling location (often used interchangeably with "gambling den").
  • The back room of the bar served as a gambling-house den. (A hidden area was used for illicit betting.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gambling (n): the activity of betting money on uncertain outcomes.
  • Gambling is heavily regulated in many countries. (Betting is subject to strict laws.)
• Gambler (n): a person who gambles regularly.
  • She is a professional gambler who frequents high-stakes houses. (She bets professionally in upscale venues.)
• House (n): in this context, a building or establishment.
  • The term "house" in "gambling-house" emphasizes the physical location.

Synonyms

• Casino: a larger, often legal establishment offering various games of chance.
  • The casino was more luxurious than the old gambling-house. (The casino was a grander venue.)
• Betting shop: a place where bets on sports or events are placed.
  • He stepped into a betting shop to place a wager. (He entered a specific type of gambling venue.)
• Gaming house: an alternative term for a gambling-house.
  • The gaming house was known for its high-stakes poker tables. (The establishment specialized in poker.)

Related Idioms

• To have a gambling-house mentality: to take reckless risks, as if in a betting environment.
  • His business decisions reflect a gambling-house mentality. (He makes risky choices without caution.)
• To clean out a gambling-house: to win all the money from an establishment.
  • The lucky player cleaned out the gambling-house in one night. (He won every bet, leaving the house bankrupt.)