What is a degen in gambling?

What is a degen in gambling? You want to win by one point or a fucking 30 points, KG, right? I see out there when the fucking stadiums are all bullying you — you're 30 up, you're still going full-tilt. Come on, KG — this is no different than that. This is me, all right? I'm not a fucking athlete, this is my fucking way — this is how I win. So look — let's fucking bet on this. That was Uncut Gems — Howard had the cash in hand to pay off the loan shark and walk clean, and he looked at the board instead. That's the degen life, and it's not a compliment. Short for degenerate. Someone who bets on everything compulsively. In plain terms: degen is what bettors call themselves when the action is the point — any sport, any hour, any market. Said with a laugh, but the word is a warning wearing a joke. “Full degen mode — I'm betting Korean baseball at three A.M.” Let's use this example. Howard sold the opal for enough cash to pay off Arno and walk away. Instead he looks at the Game 7 lines, tells Kevin Garnett “this is how I win,” and bets it. The tell isn't the amount — the exit was right there and he couldn't take it.