Investment shouldn't be gambling ever.  If you're actively trading crypto or stocks for short term gains, that's gambling.  If you're buying something to hold for the long term, that's investing.

I've always been a proponent of investment instead of saving cash.  Sure, if I needed to save up for a car or some other big purchase I'd sock away cash in a bank account or whatever, but spare money always went into the stock market and lately, cryptocurrency.

If you keep your surplus funds in a checking or savings account, you're a sucker because of interest rates being near zero right now.  You've got to put your money to work for you.