Course holding permit for gambling game (8)
I believe the answer is:
roulette
'gambling game' is the definition.
(roulette is a kind of gambling game)
'course holding permit' is the wordplay.
'course' becomes 'route' (I've seen this before).
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'permit' becomes 'let' (synonyms).
'route' going around 'let' is 'ROULETTE'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for roulette that I've seen before include "Gambling game with small ball and revolving disc (8)" , "Wheel of fortune" , "If Russian, it's a very dangerous game" , "Whirling numbered wheel" , "SPORT/GAME" .)