Been asked a few times if investments are same as gambling, so just going to write my thoughts on it (sorry - I waffle on I know!)
When you gamble, you often own nothing and are thinking it’s a quick solution to a situation. You act on impulse a desire to get more now. You almost crave the near win more than the ‘jackpot’.
Whereas, investing in shares, a pension etc, actually take a lot of self control. The understanding it will be a risk but will be long term (if day trading then it’s different again). You need to have money Infront of you to invest, you have to think can I “live” without it for long term. It’s a lot more a thought out choice.
Hope that explains my logic for this being different to a “bet”.