Right now there are huge lists of them where you have a choice on whether you buy tokens on their early pre-sales or invest in the game hoping that you will get your ROI as fast as possible but there is no assurance about it. Is this gamble its true sense it has just some part where you need to take the risk but not that low odds where you can get your capital back?
I invested in Splinterlands and DPET but not to evolve my cards and pets I invested because I know that there will be demand in the market once the games took off, so in my part, I consider this gambling because I expect to profit from my investment if I am dedicated to leveling up my pets and playing to enjoy then it's more on a recreation for me, not gambling ort investment.