Is Trading “Gambling” or “Risky” ? Explained in business terms.

Hi everyone:

The question that most people will ask is whether trading is the same as “gambling”.
Throughout the 9 years of my trading journey, this has always been brought up and asked about many times.

Of course anyone is entitled to think based on their perspective and view, so I am not here to argue or convince them otherwise.
Rather, I am here to share some key aspects of what I learned in trading for the last 9 years,
as well as years in the business world to discuss the difference between “Gambling” and “Risky” in trading and in business.

Most people who have never traded in their lives, but have heard about trading, usually assume trading is some sort of get rich quick scheme.
They often assume it's a type of “gamble”. Since most people around them probably lost money in trading.
It's not surprising as the statistics don't lie, 90-95% retail traders lose money in trading and quit eventually.
But what most people don't know is “why” and “how” they lose money in trading.
It's usually a combination of poor mindset and emotion.
No systematic plan, no risk management, get rich quick thinking, revenge/over trading, fear of missing out, and alot more psychological issues.
They did not put in the time and effort to succeed. Which then resulted in traders losing money and quitting.
Eventually making up excuses of why they fail in trading, and blame the market, the broker, the strategy.
All these no doubt also resulted in what normal people will say trading is a “gamble.”

On the other hand, is trading “risky” ?
Trading is just like any other businesses out there, that will be risky due to unforeseen circumstances.
Businesses face external factors that they can not control, just like in trading. Businesses have internal expenses, overhead costs, labour, loans, C.O.G.S…etc as well as many competitions within their respected industry.
It requires hard work and determination to succeed. Even for larger businesses that are where they are today, they were all risky when they started.
Was Amazon Risky ? Was Tesla Risky ? Was Facebook Risky ? Absolutely. But that did not stop their owners from putting in maximum effort and time to make it work.

Trading is no different, you are the owner, director and the CEO of your trading account.


So, don't confuse and get “gamble” and “risk” mixed up.
It's up to us individually to acknowledge and understand the difference between the two.

The truth is, successful traders understand the difference between “gamble” and “risk”.
To remove the “gambling” aspect from trading, is to have a well written trading plan, proper risk management, right trading psychology, positive mindset and control emotion.
Whatever strategy you decide to implement is not really the cause of your success or failure, but rather those I mentioned above.
This way, you remove almost all the “gambling” aspect away from trading, and it is now “risky” but bearable for you to handle.

Will trading always be “risky” ? Sure, it is a business and anything can happen unexpectedly and out of nowhere.
But successful traders understand the importance of treating trading like a business, so contingency plan, back up plan, trading plan, management plan,
and much more should be carefully thought out so you will know what to do when you are hit with sudden surprises like in a business operation.

The worst thing we can do is to not be part of any “risk”. If we are so relaxed, laid back, and have no stress to motivate us to move forward, then we stay within our “comfort” zone.
We become so glued to our 9-5 job which we then think it's safe. But, we will forever be in a rat race against many others who are better than us in credentials that will land that higher position/salary that we want.



“So to me, without taking a “risk” in life is the biggest “gamble” that you can do in life.”


Welcome to let me know and share with everyone what you think about this topic :)

Thank you

Jojo