There are people who are hasty in criticizing people losing money to gambling, stating it to be a big financial mistake. Gambling could be a financial mistake, but that will be only when you are gambling irresponsibly. Gamblers who are gambling responsibly and not intentionally gambling for money making can still make money in the process, a life changing amount in some few cases.
People who are on the side of criticism, and using their money for other purposes, still fun but no potential of them to make money from it could be said to be the ones making the financial mistake. What do you think?
For me, whatever other people do (even if the activity they do is the activity I dislike the most) I will not criticize them, it is useless at all as long as their actions do not harm me.
You are right OP that gambling will only be a financial mistake only when someone gambles irresponsibly, there are many examples and evidence, and I also believe that financial mistakes are not too related to gambling, meaning there are still many other activities that can have an impact on finances.
In conclusion, whatever you do and no matter how risky the activity you are going to do, basically if you understand and know how to treat it properly, then in my opinion the activity should not cause problems with your financial situation.
