There are at least obvious issues with gambling compared to day trading (which is much more regulated). The main one being that winners are banned from particip

There are at least obvious issues with gambling compared to day trading (which is much more regulated). The main one being that winners are banned from participating. You can become a successful day trader, but any chance at being a successful sports bettor gets you banned from the marketplace. In my anecdotal experience a lot of people would not find the same vice or even to the same degree as sports betting feels like a drain financially.