On Your Side: Luck Is Not a Strategy

Over the years, I've witnessed countless investment trends captivate the public. But there's one development I've been seeing lately that's especially concerning: the increasingly blurring line between investing and gambling.

With the rise of gamified trading apps and gambling, the thrill of a quick win is being packaged as a financial strategy, particularly to young people—and I cannot stress enough how irresponsible this is. "The house always wins" is a common refrain for a reason; gambling is specifically designed to ensure that, in the aggregate, participants lose.

Investing, on the other hand, is about building long-term wealth through ownership. When you put your hard-earned dollars to work in a diversified portfolio, you're buying real companies that have the potential to grow over time. True wealth creation requires patience through the market's ups and downs, and history shows the longer you stay invested, the greater your likelihood of success.

We owe it to the younger generations to teach them this distinction, and we owe it to ourselves to remain disciplined. In a world full of digital distractions, partnering with a trusted professional can help cut through the noise and stay focused on what truly matters: reaching—not gambling on—your financial goals.

Charles R. Schwab

Founder & Co-Chairman