Stress is considered a relevant factor in the development and maintenance of not only substance-related addictions but also behavioral addictions. Against this background, the current study investigated the association between daily stress and gaming use patterns in individuals with pathological (n = 62), risky (n = 62), and non-problematic (n = 62) gaming behavior as assessed with a structured clinical interview. Coping motives and perceived chronic stress, for which previous research reported associations with gaming disorder, were examined as potential moderators. After a laboratory session, in which symptoms of gaming disorder, gaming motives and chronic stress were assessed, participants completed a 14-day ambulatory assessment of daily stress, daily gaming usage (yes/no), and daily use time of gaming. Individuals with pathological gaming behavior displayed significantly higher levels of chronic stress and a stronger endorsement of several gaming motives compared to individuals with risky and non-problematic gaming behavior. Daily usage and daily use time were positively predicted by social gaming motives and symptom severity but negatively predicted by daily stress. The negative association was found independently of chronic stress, coping-related gaming motives, and continuous symptom severity. Our findings may indicate that, on stressful days, individuals abstained from gaming or reduced gaming time in order to fulfil more pressing tasks. However, due to the cross-sectional design, the negative association could also reflect a potential stress-relieving effect of gaming. While the role of daily stress in gaming disorder requires further investigation, our findings support chronic stress and gaming motives as factors associated with gaming disorder.