Based on this definition of Gambling:
To play games of chance for money; bet.
The prizes won on billiard tournaments between Boys Clubs facilities in the region of the state I lived in, went back to the facility that won via the pool players who were members of that facility. For instance, if we won a tournament against the Boys Club in the neighboring town, our prize went straight back our local Boys Club. A prize used to make the Boys Club better, which benefitted all of us who went there everyday after school. So I would win something, but in a roundabout way.
Based on this definition:
To take risky action in the hope of a desired result
When I was seven years old, I asked a girl in my first grade class if she wanted to be my girlfriend.
We typically start young with generic versions of gambling. Generic when compared to what some of do now.