Giuseppe Gamba was born in Asti, Italy and was educated at the local Seminary of Asti. He was ordained on 18 September 1880 and did pastoral work and served as the vicar general of the diocese of Asti from 1883 until 1901.
He was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria sopra Minerva by Pope Pius XI in the consistory of 20 December 1926. He died in 1929 after being a cardinal for only three years.