its interesting that in 2005, when you started this thread you were at, or perhaps are at, now, 13111 posts to these threads perhaps your answer, based on being one of the highest and most frequent commentators on these threads would answer this question one thing is certain, I would like a job like yours that allows me as much time to be so concerned about these threads, as to comment so frequently, perhaps there is revenue from such frequent commenting, or perhaps you have so much to contribute that we are really privilidged to have such a wise person amongst us. mean time, the rest of us traders are laughing at the notion of justifying to some tight wads, whether taking risk in business is gambling, and being in a very high risk business is gambling, and working amongst others in this very high risk business is gambling, or not.
My opinion and it might be wrong is speculation is still gambling. but trading is not speculation and not gambling
The new wave in retail trading seems to be these binary option platforms like this http://tinyurl.com/70-hourly claiming to make 70% in an hour for guessing direction. Seems like anyone could do this with a tiny investment. what am i missing or is this some kind of scam? One thing is for sure, it does seem like gambling.
I think it depends on how you treat it. Some people gamble, other people only trade when they have edge. People make money predicting what will happen next. Sure, there is always a chance things go against you. As long as you're right more than you're wrong, I wouldn't call you a gambler. Your fate isn't left to chance. You have real information to help your decision making.