I think i should start by maybe defining the two.
Investing: By investing you not only buying a stock in hopes that it rises, but it provides money, capitol,for the companies selling stocks. Investing is what drives many of our companies. They need us and we need them. With investing the odds are in your favor due to the access granted to the stocks value and so forth. By investing you have the ability to buy on the down side, buy on the upside, add to your position ect. You also can set a limit of your loss without have to worry about "staying at the table" for the most part. As for odds, I think investing is the better odds by far. Dont get me wrong, investing has its losses as we have all experienced.
Gambling: By gambling you are taking an unkown chance at accumulating money based on unknown facts. Gambling in itself has nothing to offer our society. Gambling is compulsive and has actually been termed a problem. In any big city that has major gambling casinos there is poverty that surrounds its borders. Has anyone every heard of Gamblers Anonaymous? Gambling addictions.
To sum this up I just believe that there are very few "compulsive" investors. I don't know of any place that has meetings for addicted investors. I also believe gambling is mainly used for entertainment purposes (which sometimes leads to addictions) and investing is business. Pure and Simple. While the two are very much alike in many areas there is nothing that puts them so far apart than being able to contribute to society. I've never heard any gambling that has helped communities other than providing jobs and this does not included reservations. Gambling is just not a good thing to use when investing and it is used that way then the loser line is long.
You are correct it is a good debate all in all.
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