Yes. No. Maybe....
This is an interesting thread. However, instead of clarifying the role of "Traders", I think this question plays into popular misconceptions about us. "Traders take risks and make(or lose) money! Those gamblers! Traders are bahahahaadddd!"
If Wal-Mart buys 10,000 junkets from China(risk), and plans to resell them to some wary US consumers next month(reward), are they gambling, investing, ....or trading?
If a monetary Jesus takes a heavy stake in a financial services company(let's say Goldman Sachs) during a time of recession obsession(with many predicting economic collapse), is he gambling, investing, ....or trading?
If Mary, who's married, is "exploring other options" with Gary, is she gambling, investing, ....or setting up a trade?
Ultimately, the OP's question is subjective and can only be answered definitively by each individual according to their ability to access risk & reward.
The real question about any endeavor(trading or otherwise) is simply this: -->> Is the risk you are taking worth the potential reward?
If your answer is "No", ...or "I don't know", ...then you are gambling.