Nowadays we do not use paper money anymore. We do all our shopping online. We do not need paper money for clothes, food, etc.
Payment systems are constantly changing. Bitcoin is the result of this change.
So Bitcoin is a real payment system. Yes bitcoin is a money.
It is possible that some bitcoin states can be categorized as money because they have functions as official payments, but not for people living in states that prohibit the use of bitcoins.
Prohibits the use but still it is money when you got out of that country. If you are a buyer then lose your bitcoin in trading you will feel it. The feeling of getting hurt when you lose your money is the same. I think because some works for freebies that is why they cant say it is money. Hard earned fiat converted to bitcoin is the reason some of us get here and still that is happening.
Same also when buying gold. You invested your fiat in it and even saved money just to buy it. If we all know that then we wont be saying things like bitcoin is not really money.