I think where the connection to gambling falls down is the “pay to play” aspect. That you are never forced to pay is a defining aspect of “freemium”. You are a

I think where the connection to gambling falls down is the “pay to play” aspect. That you are never forced to pay is a defining aspect of “freemium”. You are always given the choice to wait out the timer/watch an ad for your next upgrade/level/continue/bonus/lootbox, rather than pay.