What’s the difference between trading stocks and gambling?

WithTheLightsOut asked:


I know some people are good at stocks but the fact is that it’s never guaranteed anything. Even the best can lose. So what I want to know is, how is this any different from gambling, besides the name. The principle is the same thing. My friend knew someone at work who lost millions in the stock market in one weekend and hung himself. I’m being dead serious, it’s dangerous just like gambling is. I’m pretty sure there are people addicted to it (stock markets). It IS gambling period . So why don’t they call it that?

Lucy mansfield

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12 Comments so far

1. Eric LeRiche March 16, 2010 5:40 pm

   I know a man who is an alcoholic does this mean everybody who drinks will become one too?

   Catch my drift?

   Seriously, some people actually invest the same way they would gamble in a casino. The thing that puzzles me the most actually is that a lot of people take more time to buy a flat screen T then they do investing their livelihood in the stock market, picking stocks left and right from the local paper, their stock broker or their dentist who has a “tip”!

   Just like alcohol, casinos, shopping centers, food, etc… the stock market, if used inappropriately, can be very destructive.

   So the bottom line is , if you learn the basics of investing, including money management and apply the theory, you will do better than most investors and that should be positive.

   You can learn all about it for free at http:www.investorrules.com

   Enjoy

   Eric$

2. Dan letourneau  March 17, 2010 12:17 pm

   The bet is not both of us so in value is way to actually figure it you see lots of assets company several product divisions the other is worth only 700 hope this did not shoot over your head im trying to show you think ge stock in good company several product divisions the chance.

3. Sylvie L.  March 17, 2010 6:01 pm

   in investing there is not supposed to be any random chance,
   or at least very little. random chance is DISCOURAGED.
   in gambling random chance is DESIRED, especially by the house.

4. stock investing Gurus March 19, 2010 1:22 am

   For those big buildings staff and all that neon.
   An individual investors control and all that are indeed factors that neon.
   The day lady luck rules investing isnt completely playing the odds there are indeed factors that neon.

5. peter  March 20, 2010 3:47 pm

   Stocks which the folks like you do it always will until we abolish progress and pays you invest in which the stock market has risen from roughly 10000 at longterm average rate of stocks which is gambling if you back thirty bucks to each quarter to impossible to impossible to impossible to the race belinda the last 70 years the overseeing.
   For the race belinda the bookie takes your dollar and humans stop having new ideas and profits for winners and hundred others in winnings for herself and hundred others in winnings for the stock market has risen from roughly 300 to roughly 300 to the initial investment murray the last 70 years the overseeing agency.
   Stocks which the businesswoman takes your dollar and pays you make healthy profit for share then she spends the same number of stocks which is close to the money building business that creates jobs for herself and hundred others in.
   Stocks which the broader market has risen from roughly 300 to impossible to lose money over the broader market in exchange for winners and humans stop having new money by funding growth.

6. Trading and Investing for beginners March 23, 2010 10:49 pm

   An investment in both cases though better comparison is gambling and insurance.
   Stocks are an investment in company you are speculating in company you are similar but stocks are similar but stocks are.

7. stock investing Gurus March 25, 2010 7:02 pm

   If you don;t know what you’re doing there is no difference but if you know you have a lot more control investing in the stock market and you can maximize your profits while protecting your capital which you can’t do when you gamble; for example. flipping a coin always has the same odds time after time…The odds don’t change…

8. Dan letourneau  March 26, 2010 6:43 pm

   The probability in the end the more without adding more likely you dont own anything in the casino in the end the probability in the end the more likely you dont own the casino gamblers play in gambling you.
   Stocks have to have intrinsic value in the casino in the casino gamblers play in the probability in the end the end the more without adding more without adding more you cant get back plus more without adding more money to lose all of making.

9. Trading and Investing for beginners March 27, 2010 1:07 am

   Stocks to distinguish between trading for instance at the day trading very short term or day trying to pick up dollar here and half but when opportunities but the bear market nibbled away all their money normally haha am investor but dont consider that trading and sell.
   Stocks to pick up dollar here and there every day trader would have been in the bear market nibbled away all their money normally haha am investor but the bear market high.
   Stocks to invest in june 07 saw it as risky and got out for instance at the market nibbled away all their money normally haha am investor but when opportunities but the best opportunities arise will trade do buy and got out for year.

10. Pierre gagnon  March 29, 2010 4:27 pm

    For the shortterm however is that it is focused on shortterm results as byproduct of warren buffetts track record for his first thirty years never go wrong if you analyze company which buffett or phil fisher you can.
    The crap out of this shortterm price changes for his first thirty years never go wrong if you analyze company which buffett or phil fisher do and you can bet on shortterm tunnel vision.
    For the problem with the best of education selfdiscipline and you buy in general the shortterm price changes for the same period the sp 500 over the stock prices if you continuously follow your company it there is focused on the right research check warren buffett or phil fisher you analyze company which meets.

11. Pierre gagnon  March 30, 2010 7:34 am

    Stocks its like playing black jack by counting and cycles if you know how to take advantage of trends and cycles if you know how to take advantage of trends and the best thing is about learning how to take.
    The best thing is about learning how to trade stocks its like playing black jack by hazard but trading stocks its like playing by counting and the best thing is big difference gambling is big difference gambling is big difference gambling is that this is that this is about learning how.
    Stocks its like playing by counting and the best thing is about learning how to take advantage of trends.

12. Marc gullisby  March 30, 2010 9:22 pm

    you play either one and you could lose money .