Meaning

noun money that is risked for possible monetary gain

noun a risky act or venture

verb take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

originFrom earlier gamel, from Middle English *gamlen, *gamelen, variant of Middle English gamenen, from Old English gæmnian, gamnian, gamenian (“to joke; play”), related to Old English gamen (“joy; mirth; pleasure; entertainment; pastime; sport; game”), equivalent to game + -le. Compare Old Danish gammel, Middle High German gamel (“pleasure; fun”). More at game.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0