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On Your Side: Luck Is Not a Strategy

Long-term wealth creation depends on patience, not chance.
August 14, 2026Charles Schwab

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.

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Charles R. Schwab

Founder & Co-Chairman

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This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

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