Now ain't that the truth Hack. A very wise man was GBS.
Being a staunch proponent of the English language I'm pained at times by the poor use of English by English people but 'Americanese' I accept. Or have to, up to a point.
The question of skill has no cognizance in the definition of the word gamble or gambling, it is purely the act of risk or chance with no prior definitive outcome. It could be money, property or simply the act of setting up a business. Or maybe even building a 3.5 billion brick wall! I'm sure a million or more homes for the homeless would serve better use of such a fortune.
To return to where you say "gambling used to be illegal".....Hack,
I'm quite a fan of Cops, Cops Reloaded, Police Women Of Dallas, SPCA Houston etc and a couple of times I've seen the police rousting participants in a craps game or pitch and toss maybe and now I wonder if the law has changed since the making of these documentaries, as Officer Tracey Jones made it abundantly clear to all concerned it was a big no no. That girl sure doesn't hang back.