To encourage in wrongdoing is always a gamble (4)
I believe the answer is:
abet
'to encourage in wrongdoing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'always a gamble' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'a' (this might be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'a gamble' becomes 'bet' (bet is a kind of gamble).
'a'+'bet'='ABET'
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abet that I've seen before include "Encourage (offence)" , "Crookedly endorse" , "support wrongdoing" , "Egg on" , "Encourage (wrongdoing)" .)