a tavern or inn frequented by gamblers or other sportsmen
sporting house in American English
Informal, Obsolete
1. US
a gambling house
2. US
a house of prostitution; brothel
sporting house in American English
noun
1. old-fashioned
a brothel
2. archaic
an establishment, as a tavern, inn, or the like, catering to gamblers or sportsmen
Word origin
[1855–60]This word is first recorded in the period 1855–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: barrage, boilerplate, keyword, lavabo, pickup