I really don't think gamblers think that way - I know people who play poker fairly seriously (which is clearly gambling) and they play to win and generally they do pretty well - certainly well above break-even.
Think about it this way: if you buy a slot machine to put in your store/bar/etc, are you gambling or investing ? - it's clearly a game of chance, and you might lose money on it, however because the odds are set in your favour in the long term you'll make money. Hence it's an investment rather than gambling.
You do actually get angel investors who invest in poker players with solid track records.
I think serious poker is in a different category than slots or roulette.
You can call it gambling but there's a reason there exist top poker players who win with consistency. If it were really random chance, you wouldn't see players that make a living playing poker.
Think about it this way: if you buy a slot machine to put in your store/bar/etc, are you gambling or investing ? - it's clearly a game of chance, and you might lose money on it, however because the odds are set in your favour in the long term you'll make money. Hence it's an investment rather than gambling.
You do actually get angel investors who invest in poker players with solid track records.