It depends on the techniques that you use. If you do mere analysis of patterns in the charts, I think that it is gambling, with an attempt to reduce the risks. But if you trade based on technology and development, this can lead you to a better investment.
I agree trading is also gambling that has lesser risk, unlike in gambling it has a total high risk game. And besides in trading you need to know how market of alt coins are moving so if you don't know how it moves then you are just going to completely gambling your money without any assurance that you are going to play for it.