gambling
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gambling
A game in which the outcome depends mostly or entirely on chance and in which people play for money or other valuables.
Lotto ist in Deutschland das beliebteste Glücksspiel.
The lottery is the most popular form of gambling in Germany.
The word is made up of 'das Glück' (luck) and 'das Spiel' (game). So it literally describes a game whose result depends on luck.
Beim Poker braucht man nicht nur Glück, sondern auch Strategie.
In poker, you need not only luck but also strategy.
In connection with 'Glücksspiel' (gambling), the adjectives 'legal' and 'illegal' are often used. Typical verbs are 'an einem Glücksspiel teilnehmen' (to take part in gambling) or 'Glücksspiel betreiben' (to operate gambling).
Die Polizei hat einen Ring für illegales Glücksspiel ausgehoben.
The police busted a ring for illegal gambling.
A common idiom is 'sein Glück im Spiel versuchen' (to try one's luck at a game). It means that someone takes part in gambling in the hope of winning.
Im Urlaub in Las Vegas wollte er auch mal sein Glück im Spiel versuchen.
On vacation in Las Vegas, he wanted to try his luck at gambling for once.
game / play
'das Spiel' and 'das Glücksspiel' both have to do with games. 'das Spiel' is the general term for an activity with rules, often for fun or in competition. 'das Glücksspiel' is much more specific: the outcome depends mainly on chance, and it often involves money or other valuables. The words can be confusing because gambling is also a kind of game. But when chance and stakes are important, 'Glücksspiel' fits better. For ordinary recreational games, you simply say 'Spiel'.
Tim gibt zu viel Geld für Glücksspiel aus.
Tim spends too much money on gambling.
Dieses Spiel ist leicht zu lernen und macht auch Kindern Spaß.
This game is easy to learn and is fun for children too.