There's no doubt that the reality of gaining and losing has an effect on the attitude of the average person.
I mean, considering you have the potential to make 50-100% every few days with a couple hours of research and proper timing - the potential, and therefore the merit of seriousness has actual cognitive weight, imo. Justifiably so, I would say.
Not to say that it shouldnt be seen as a game - but at the same time - what isnt, ya know?