It's like saying 'you don't need anything more than Windows Home. Just leave everything on default, let Microsoft work for you! Everything else is worthless overcomplicated crap.'

Meanwhile, the reality is that finance (much like any other industry) is filled to the brim with mediocrity, and even spending a cursory amount of time doing research would net a significant positive income flow. But people don't do it. They get discouraged when they find out the markets aren't 'fair', everyone has an 'edge', and they resign themselves into thinking that the best way to make money is to just give it away to one of the big players that made it all so unfair in the first place.

They milk your money for all its worth and give you a pittance, but you remain content with yourself because this month you made 6% return on your 'investments'. The S&P went up, after all, and you, the intelligent market participant, were there to reap the benefits :^)

Meanwhile, the 'intelligent' money that outwits you throws it all in Chinese Starbucks competitors that cook the books[1], speculative electric car companies that roll parts kits downhill[2], or leverages billion dollar funds 5:1 resulting in a magnificent $10bn implosion.

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luckin_Coffee

[2]https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/nikola-admits-prototype...

[3]https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/27/ubs-nomura-push-global-banks...

You left out the best part: The $50B was used to bet on 90 Day Fiancé and Star Trek. Bill Hwang is a true degenerate gambler.

Yeah, I wouldnt go that far, daytrading reputable shares is still better than casino

There's punters who make good money on the horses, just like there's investors who make good money day trading, but most casual punts are little better than random guesswork.

So it is better in terms of expected costs if we're comparing 1 daytrade gamble with 1 casino gamble.