Gambling is definitely not a scam. There are lot of people who has benefited from gambling in the past and are still benefitting from it now. For me, I would say it's also a form investment even though its a very risky one. That's why as a gambler, you have to be self disciplined so you don't gamble all your valuables away. If you end up doing that that's when you begin to think gambling is scam meanwhile it is you that is the problem.