While humorous, this is nonsense, and a complete mischaracterization of what a stock market actually is.<p>A stock market is a place where a group of businesses are able to offer ownership stakes in their company in exchange for cash.<p>The fact that people have built a speculation market around it is very different than a gambling wager. If you buy stock and it decreases in value, you still own the stock.<p>Edit: As CPLX points out below, in reference to a derivative market, the point is much more valid.