How to Say Gambling in Spanish: Translation and Meaning

How to Say Gambling in Spanish: Translation and Meaning

By Michael Davidson

February 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM

The Spanish word for gambling is "juegos de azar" (plural) or "juego de azar" (singular), which literally translates to "games of chance." You might also hear "apostar" or "jugar por dinero" when referring to gambling activities.

Here are the most common Spanish gambling-related terms you should know:

• Gambling (noun) - Juegos de azar
• To gamble (verb) - Apostar, jugar por dinero
• Gambler - Jugador, apostador
• Casino - Casino
• Betting - Apuestas
• Poker - Póquer
• Slot machine - Máquina tragamonedas, tragaperras (Spain)
• Roulette - Ruleta
• Blackjack - Veintiuno

The pronunciation of "juegos de azar" is: • hweh-gohs deh ah-sahr

Regional variations exist across Spanish-speaking countries. For example:

• In Mexico: "apostar" is more commonly used
• In Spain: "jugar" or "apostar" are both widely used
• In Argentina: "jugar por plata" is a common colloquial phrase

When talking about gambling activities in Spanish, you can use these example phrases:

• I like to gamble - Me gusta apostar
• He gambles at the casino - Él juega en el casino
• They are gambling money - Están apostando dinero

Remember that gambling terminology can vary depending on the specific game or context, but "juegos de azar" is the most universally understood term across Spanish-speaking regions when referring to gambling in general.

For formal or legal contexts, you might also encounter "ludopatía" (gambling addiction) or "apuestas deportivas" (sports betting), but these are more specific terms rather than the general concept of gambling.

Related Articles

Previous Articles