But I would be interested in how you answer the question of whether free games can be considered gambling. Another way to put this is: can gambling be free? Do free games excite you as much as games that involve betting money?
In my opinion, without involving money, it cannot be called gambling because there is no risk whatsoever in the outcome, we do not lose or gain anything other than just fun.
But gambling can be free, for example when you get freebets or freespins, which when you lose you don't lose anything and it's a lucky thing if you can win it.
Free games still make me excited but not as much as when using money where there are emotions involved so the desire to get money increases, free games only relieve boredom for a moment.
Well I also agree with you although I don't know if my understanding of the context of gambling is correct though but like you I believe if you add monetary value or something that's value to game then it can't be gambling because gambling involves taking the big risk and making the move in order to derive profit and also thrills with excitement and most times the end result is always loses if you don't understand the fun part of it.