Actually, “game progression” (that is, what in-game things you have, what your status is in organized play groups outside of specialized, sealed-box tournaments, etc.) in collectible card (or miniature, etc.) games absolutely is sped up by pouring more money into the randomized sets that are sold.

Also, with those, your paying for a random chance of more valuable products that, in addition to using in play, you can resell for cash. It's quite a bit more like gambling with and for money than lootboxes are.