Gambling means betting. That is gambling. People are betting. You put one dollar, and if you gain, you get ten dollars. Otherwise, you lose this one dollar. This is gambling. They’re gambling in Christian churches also, in the Western countries. But gambling is considered sinful activity. One Mr. Bhattacarya, a barrister, he was educated in England. So he told there is some island, Monte Carlo, there are gamblers, and one gambler loses everything, he commits suicide immediately, and he’ll go. That’s all. Nobody cares for him. They bring all their fortunes to stake, and they lose everything. And then, out of frustration, takes revolver and shots himself, dies, and it is thrown on the street or somewhere. Nobody cares. Just like cats and dogs.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.2 — September 17, 1969, London