hyip is in fact gambling, both things allow people to win money if they are lucky and lose a lot if people are not lucky, in my opinion both are gambling just the type is different
I sometimes feel we can make good profit with HYIPs too , because see when the HYIP is new (like one or to days old) it will not scam and we can invest in that to gain profits, at the same time we can loose too though with an one day old HYIP programs.
the reason im comparing hyip with gambling is this. but people are not understanding and being mighty and full of themselves 
stil i'll stick to my word, i am just stating a fact. 
hope this clears up the confusion.