I agree, because the word Risk is embedded in the very concept of gambling. That is, one of two or more partners risks something when he makes a kind of deal with another participant.
Until now, I still agree that only money or other valuable assets can be wagered as a risk in gambling. Therefore, it seems more logical to state that anyone who doesn't have money or other valuable items to stake, even if they stand to win a prize, is not engaging in gambling.
However, there is an intriguing perspective when we look at it from a different angle, which I often encounter within my circle of friends. Yep, gambling can also refer to the act of risking something uncertain against something else. It's worth noting that not all wealth comes in the form of money but can also be in the form of agreements.
Have you ever heard a friend making a simple bet during the final match of the 2022 World Cup and saying something like this to the owner of a small restaurant: "If Portugal wins the final match, I will clean this place for a week. But if Argentina wins, I request free meals at this place for a week."
Yes, those were words laced with laughter, but we, as men, never go back on our word. And in my opinion, that can be considered a form of gambling. Right? But, no money here.