Crossword Genius

In gambling game, fanatic doesn’t start to show fear (7,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chicken out

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'show fear' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'in gambling game fanatic doesn't start' is the wordplay.
'in gambling' becomes 'chic' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'game' becomes 'keno' (keno is a kind of game).
'fanatic' becomes 'nut' (I've seen this before).
'doesn't start' means to remove the first letter.
'nut' with its initial letter removed is 'ut'.
'chic'+'keno'+'ut'='CHICKEN OUT'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for chicken out that I've seen before include "Back down" , "When yellow, withdraw" , "Get scared off" , "Be a wimp" , "Be too scared to do something" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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