It’s not gambling if you know what you’re doing. It’s gambling if you are guessing, kidding yourself, lying, fooling or convincing yourself or others, or if you’re in denial.
Knowledge of the game, the rules, the nuance, the scope, scale and personal discipline supplant gambling.
Oh yeah, one more thing…you must understand the risk BEFORE you take it. You need a method and a plan. If you have a plan and know these things, it’s not gambling. At least no more so than risks associated with daily life on an ordinary Wednesday or Thursday.
Saying “it” (whatever “it” might be) is gambling to a person who has spent years and years and bled real blood learning and understanding his or her game is an insult.
Most often these words come from those who know not, who will never know or understand. They’ve never had the courage to dare risk of failure.
There is no such thing as a hot table, hot hand or lucky number. Do not give power over your life to some thing that has none. Life by it’s very nature is a gamble. No day guaranteed. No outcome secure.
Learn your craft – any craft. The only security you’ll even have is what you truly know, deep inside. Shakespeare said, “Know thyself and be true unto”. 
When you bet on yourself, it’s not gambling.