They have a major influence but they are not the one who have total control in manipulating the price of bitcoin. They are compose of many type of groups. Group of whales, hoarders, pump and dump groups and simply us. Even your single and smallest transaction of purchasing some of bitcoins for your trading investment or gambling can contribute to the price of bitcoin.
There are people who are behind on the manipulation of the price of bitcoin, whales can do that and we do not have the choice but to dance with their music. We know how to dance because we have been here for so long and every time there's a price pump we benefited.
Most of the big mining farms are located in china and so the big whales are playing out of china ,how can gambling contribute to the price of bitcoin ,i do not understand your logic .The recent manipulation is because of FUD news spreading around in forums that china will be restricting bitcoin exchanges .
Gambling is one usage of the bitcoin. The more people use the bitcoin, the more useful it is so the price will be higher.