Character cutting could be a gambler who cheats (9)
I believe the answer is:
cardsharp
'a gambler who cheats' is the definition.
(to sharp is to cheat at cards)
'character cutting' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'card' (I've seen this before).
'cutting' becomes 'sharp' (synonyms).
'card'+'sharp'='CARDSHARP'
'could be' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for cardsharp that I've seen before include "Cheater at, eg, poker" , "One who cheats with a pack" , "Swindler in game" , "One cheating at, eg, poker" , "Cheater at, say, poker" .)