Is Option Trading Gambling? Only 1 Proper and Simple Answer

Key Takeaways🔑

→Option trading is a form of financial instrument that involves speculating on the price of an underlying asset.

→Options trading can be a legitimate form of investment when approached with knowledge, skills, and discipline.

→Traders should be cautious and avoid treating options trading as a form of gambling, as this can lead to significant losses.

Is option trading a good idea?

There is this perpetual debate: is option trading gambling? I will try to deal with this issue unequivocally today. With the rise of the internet came many online money-making opportunities. Financial brokers set up online platforms that made it easy for traders to invest in different financial instruments.

Traders could now easily buy and sell forex, CFDs, indices and commodities among other assets from the comfort of their homes or offices. Then, brokers introduced options.

This new form of financial instrument was adopted fast by traders all over the world. However, some financial authorities banned options brokers from operating within their jurisdictions.

Why?

Many claimed that it's a form of gambling.

But is this really true?

Is IQ Option gambling?

This guide will discuss what options trading is all about.

Overview of options

Options are a type of derivative security. That means that their value is linked to the value of the underlying asset. Therefore, as an options trader, you're not buying or claiming ownership of the underlying asset. Rather, you're speculating on whether the asset's price will rise or fall over a fixed period of time.

When trading options on the IQ Option platform, your primary objective is determining whether the price of the underlying asset will rise or fall within a certain time.

Let's take a look at how this works.

Trading options on IQ Option

Start by clicking on the plus (+) button at the top of your IQ options trading account and select options. Choose your preferred asset. In this example, I'm using the EUR/USD currency pair. I'm also using 5-minute interval candles.

Next, select the trade expiry time.

Next, enter the amount to trade.

Finally, based on your analysis, select either higher or lower.

Is option trading gambling?

Like gambling, options trading can make you money or not.

Many people argue that options trading is similar to gambling. All you need is luck to make a winning trade. But options trading is much more than deciding whether to press the higher or lower button.

As an options trader, you'll still need to apply the skills used by other traders participating in other financial markets. You'll need to be adept at technical analysis as well as reading the price charts. Proper money management and emotional control are also essential to become a successful options trader.

Others will argue that options trading is prone to broker manipulations. That is, the broker works behind the scenes changing prices at will to their advantage. This is highly unlikely because the price charts used by options traders are the same charts used by traders investing in other financial instruments.

Options trading in itself is not yet gambling. It is the gamblers who engage in options trading who make it a gambling activity.

Is trading options safe?

This question comes up just as often. And it all depends on the approach. Binary options have been banned in the US and EU because regulators deemed the instruments unsafe in the hands of retail investors.

I would say they are potentially dangerous. Why? If someone comes to the market and buys an option with all their capital, it is very dangerous.

The question is why is he doing it? Why do people put all their capital into one transaction? Because they are totally unprepared, they have not done their homework. Option trading done wisely does not have to lead to clearing your account.

Regulators in various countries have banned binary options for the same reason they ban drivers from driving without their seat belts on. It's such a caring but freedom-limiting approach.

Options are safe when you know their design and how they work. Options are safe when you understand the risks and have a proven strategy for trading. Options are safe when you spend hours in front of charts and on a demo platform.

Options are safe when you can control your emotions and look at the market objectively. Options are safe. But if the elements listed above do not work properly in your trading. Well, options are not for you. It's not options that are dangerous, it's traders who misuse them.

Options trading unmasked

When trading other financial instruments such as fx or stocks, you can only buy an asset if there's someone on the other side selling. Conversely, you can only sell an asset if there's someone on the other side buying.

Options are a bit different. You are essentially speculating on whether the price of an asset will rise or fall over a specified period of time. So if you buy an option, the seller is essentially your broker – not another trader.

The broker, therefore, has the right to set the return on your winning trades. This ensures that the broker still makes money even if your trades are winners.

As such, brokers will rarely manipulate prices to ensure that all traders have losing trades.

Pros and Cons of Options Trading

• Pros: 😊
  • Potential for high returns on investments
  • Offers leverage, enabling traders to control larger positions with less capital
  • Provides opportunities for risk management and hedging
  • Allows traders to profit from various market conditions (rising, falling, or sideways markets)
• Cons: ☹️
  • Options can expire worthless, leading to a total loss of the initial investment
  • Requires a significant amount of knowledge and skill to trade successfully
  • Potentially high risk, especially for inexperienced traders
  • Some traders may become too speculative and treat options trading like gambling

Can options trading make you rich?

As they say, we tasted the bread. We know how binary and digital options work at IQ Option. For experienced traders, the question Is option trading gambling is a misconception. We come to the market with ideas and strategies.

We come every day and systematically increase our arsenal of trading skills.
There will always be shaving sheep in the market who hope to make profits by accident. They are gamblers. For a trader, options are a financial instrument. A financial instrument is a tool with which, based on a trading plan, profits are built.

Many new options traders think that this is a quick way to make money. However, just like trading in other markets, options traders need to equip themselves with knowledge. They must acquire price chart reading skills as well as proper money management and emotional control. Without this, options trading simply becomes a form of gambling.

Good luck.

Short Q&A on Options Trading

• Q: Can options trading be a full-time career?
  • A: Yes, options trading can be a full-time career for skilled and disciplined traders who have a deep understanding of the markets and sound risk management strategies.
• Q: How much capital do I need to start options trading?
  • A: The amount of capital required varies depending on the broker and the specific options contracts being traded. It is essential to start with an amount you can afford to lose and to build your account as you gain experience.
• Q: How can I learn options trading?
  • A: There are many resources available, such as online courses, webinars, books, and blogs. It's crucial to practice on a demo account before trading with real money to develop your skills and strategies.
• Q: Can options trading be used to hedge other investments?
  • A: Yes, options trading can be an effective tool for hedging against potential losses in other investments, such as stocks or commodities.
• Q: What is the difference between American and European options?
  • A: The primary difference is the exercise timing. American options can be exercised at any time before the expiration date, while European options can only be exercised on the expiration date.