What is gambling and investing?

Gambling and investing are two ways of spending money with different goals, methods and risks. Gambling is gambling in real and online casinos and lotteries. Examples of investing are buying stocks, real estate and other financial instruments.

Investing

Investing is a way to increase capital or achieve financial goals over the long term. One possible option is investing in gambling stocks, a business itself, but not gambling. Choosing stocks and other assets is based on analysis, forecasting and research. Losses can happen due to market fluctuations and unsuccessful investing.

Gambling

Gambling is interesting to people for excitement and pleasure. The outcome of gambling or lotteries depends on the luck of the individual and randomness. There are some strategies to increase winnings, but they are ineffective. The result of gambling is random because the process is controlled by a random number generator.

Can investments be considered as gambling?

Gambling and trading are not the same or even similar concepts. Considering gambling, lotteries and sports betting as a method for investing money and exaggerating capital is not. Gambling investmentscan only be considered as a variant of entertainment, where funds are spent and enjoy the excitement, beautiful graphics and melodies.

Risk and reward

The results of gambling depend on luck, randomness. It is a stressful activity and uncontrolled participation in it can lead to excessive spending. Although gambling has the upside of being able to get instant winnings.

The risk of investing is related to market uncertainty. Investments depend on economic conditions. Poor investment choices can lead to financial losses, especially if the portfolio is not properly diversified. Investors should be well-versed in data analysis and risk management strategies.

Risk research

Risk research involves assessing the likelihood of losing money or failing in each area. In gambling, the RTP and volatility of games can be assessed. The first indicator indicates the percentage of the amount of money invested in games that is returned back to the player during a long session. Volatility shows how often and what kind of winnings occur in the game. Usually, large prizes are rare, small prizes – respectively vice versa.

Before making a decision to invest, risks are analyzed and assessed. On the basis of the study, acceptable assets are selected. There is a direct correlation between the amount of risk and the potential return. A big risk brings a big return. But this is not always the case. It’s important to find a balance between risk and return, despite the difference between investing and gambling.

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Risk management

Risk management in gambling consists of controlling the bankroll. A player can set the amount that is optimal to spend in the casino and maintain financial stability in normal life. Risk management also applies to betting choices. For example, betting on single numbers in roulette or high odds in card games is undesirable. Gambling should be considered as an entertainment option, but not as a gambling investment.

Risk management in investing consists of something else: distribution of investments between different assets (real estate, bonds, precious metals), limiting the maximum level of losses, using professional analysis. It is more skilled and requires specific knowledge.

Investing vs. gambling: which has greater return potential?

Gambling vs. trading because they are two different strategies for investing money. They have different potentials in returns. Investments can provide long-term capital growth through prudent asset allocation. Invested funds generate income on a regular basis. Investments contribute to personal and financial development, as they require continuous improvement of knowledge and strategic thinking. Gambling gives winnings in the moment, if there is luck involved.

The final difference between investing and gambling: who benefits?

Investing and gambling can benefit different people depending on their approach to risk, financial goals and preferences. Investing is chosen for its stability and predictable returns. Gambling attracts emotionally, gives instant gratification. Casino players have no goal in long-term financial growth.

Can investing become an addiction?

Daily trading can turn into an addiction. The constant desire to monitor the situation, buy and sell assets leads to emotional dependence. Success in trading strengthens the desire to continue and the desire to take risks. Failure encourages to regain what has been lost, which can lead to additional difficulties with finances. Constant monitoring of the investment sphere leads to social isolation – a person wants to socialize less with other people and more to deal with finances. To prevent addiction to investing, the same principles work as with gambling: establishing a bankroll, time management, if serious problems develop, it is worth contacting a specialist.

Conclusion about investing and gambling

Investing and gambling are based on different approaches to investing money. Gambling is interested in instant winnings and excitement. Investing brings income in the long term. It is important not to make both of these areas the main focus of your life. General rules apply to them: limit the money you can invest and the time you can spend on these activities. 

About the Author

Originally born in New York City on July 22, 1991, Elara Whitley is a recognised casino review specialist living in Las Vegas. She started working in the gaming business as a data analyst following her 2013 Master’s degree in Data Science from Columbia University, then quickly moved to pen thorough analyses of casinos. Renowned for her exacting analytical style and thorough reporting, Elara has evolved into a reliable voice assessing both land-based and internet casinos.