Small dice game generates poor returns (6)
I believe the answer is:
scraps
'poor returns' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'small dice game' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'dice game' becomes 'craps' (I've seen this in another clue).
's'+'craps'='SCRAPS'
'generates' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scraps that I've seen before include "Bits and pieces, or slang fights" , "Bits of food waste" , "Remnants" , "Discarded pieces of food" , "Oddments - fights" .)