[Tekneek]

Good index funds are not like gambling, because it is a widely diversified investment across the span of the entire economy. You aren't trying to time the market. You aren't trying to pick the winners and losers. You aren't at the whim of an analyst sending a torpedo into your biggest holding. Overall, over time, the index funds tend to make steady gains and that is what is best for most people trying to get money for retirement. You adjust your balance between stock and bonds, but otherwise you don't worry about where the market is going from day to day. You also don't have some manager or big financial institution eating you up with management fees, brokerage fees, etc.

For the average person, any choice other than widely diversified index funds is probably a mistake. If you enjoy doing all of the work and can demonstrate that you generate better returns (all fees included) than index funds, then good for you. Many people don't beat good index funds once you include fees (if at all).