This question is a paradox. You ask the most newbie question ever whilst stating that newbs get confused about this newb question.
Sports betting is gambling. The only possible way in which it could not be considered as such is if you are 100% certain that you are betting with an edge on the market, at which point you can call it simply business.
Can you elaborate more on what you mean by! An edge on the market as it made me a little confused am not a total newbie but am still a newbie as I have not been consistent in gambling and taking not of most of its trends.