Can You Make A Living From Gambling? Why It’s Improbable

It’s highly improbable that you will be able to make a living — i.e., support yourself or your family financially — from gambling.

Your chances of winning money can vary by game type, but no form of gambling will reliably provide a livelihood. You shouldn’t attempt to pay your bills by gambling.

There’s almost no chance gambling will make you rich, but a modest living might appear more realistic. It’s advisable not to think of gambling as a potential job or career.

Gambling ‘a Hard Way to Make an Easy Living’

In the game of poker, which is arguably the only form of gambling where it is possible to make money over the long term, there’s a popular expression that warns against the pursuit.

Poker players have long said that poker is a “hard way to make an easy living.” The meaning here is that poker can offer a flexible schedule without the demands of an office or boss, but it’s extremely hard to realize this potential.

Poker is a roller coaster. There are financial swings with emotional highs and lows. Few people have the emotional resilience to make a living at poker. It’s hard on the mind to work a job where you can lose money rather than earn it.

The casino is the big winner in every poker game, thanks to the rake it collects.

Eking out an income playing poker is not glamorous. It’s a grind, and the cruelty of a bad run of cards has led to financial problems for many poker players.

What About Gambling as a Side Hustle?

While it’s probably less risky to view gambling as a “side hustle” (i.e., a part-time gig) than a career, it’s unlikely that gambling will give you a supplemental income.

If you are able to gamble regularly without developing a problem, and you earn a bit of extra money from it, you should consider yourself lucky. Don’t get over your skis and fall into the mental trap that you could earn a living from gambling.

Early success in gambling can play tricks on your mind, leading you to overestimate your long-term winning chances.

Can You Do Sports Betting for a Living?

It’s almost impossible to be a professional sports bettor in today’s landscape. Online sportsbooks restrict the accounts of users who start to win more than they lose.

Even if sportsbooks didn’t ban winners, you are more than likely to lose money in the long run because of the built-in advantage the sportsbook has over you. Sportsbooks include a fee in every wager, so they always win over time.

Like poker, sports betting regularly can take a high emotional toll.

A recent study found that just 4% of online bettors won money over a five-year period, and even those winnings were generally very small.

‘Prediction Markets’ Won’t Make You a Living

A new form of stock-market-style betting has grown in popularity. So-called “prediction markets” like Kalshi and Polymarket are not reliable ways to earn a living.

These peer-to-peer platforms also don’t provide users a realistic opportunity to make a living from gambling.

Factoring in fees, the average return on a prediction market is negative 22%, according to a 2025 paper from researchers at University College Dublin. 

The research did not factor in taxes, which vary based on the jurisdiction you live in.

Bottom Line: Don’t Become a ‘Professional Gambler’

It’s normal to want to make money from gambling. That’s the most common reason people gamble. However, you shouldn’t expect to win money from games with odds stacked against you.

A good day at the casino might lead you to wonder whether you can make a living from gambling. Don’t be hard on yourself if this thought creeps in, but it’s crucial to realize it’s not sound thinking.

Gambling products are often addictive, so it’s normal to chase losses. However, you must realize that loss chasing is one of the core signs of a potential gambling problem.

It is possible to gamble harmlessly as a form of entertainment. That’s the only mindset you should have when gambling. Remember, never treat gambling as a path to wealth or a steady income.

Above all, expecting to win increases the risk of developing an unhealthy relationship with gambling. Stay realistic and prioritize your well-being over any potential monetary gains.