Simple it is based like a casino. The difference here is in a casino the slot machines are set to pay out after so much is paid in. So you can make money if your timing is right on each machine. Card tables on the other hands are different but most of a casino is slots. So it is all betting.
In binary options you are correct if you make money your broker looses money so it is not in there best interest for you to win. But you must always remember there is a reason there are so many advertisements out there. For every good trader there are 100 suckers that will more then fill what you make. Therefore regardless of what you make there are 100 suckers paying your tab. Once you start crunching there profits you will be booted. If you got a good broker they will give you your money and kindly ask you to leave. That is the same as a casino. If you make enough for them to notice you get free everything not to leave so you spend your profits there. Trust me they will serve you everything you want to get that money back. If you dont start spending that money and put it in your bags to take home guess what they will see that you go home.
In the end it is the same concept but a big difference in the 2. In binary options you see the cards on the table and know your odds. Where in a casino you are playing a slot where it pays in more than it pays out (although you could win big but I doubt it) or your at a table where you dont know what the others are holding. If you get caught counting cards you will be booted.
So some will call it a form of gambling but I dont. I dont trade binaries but you use technical analysis and your good at it. Hey 1 pip or 100 pips your paid. Not a bad deal. I will stick to my spot forex as I am used to it. Its the beast I chose to tackle and I have gotten pretty good at it (not a millionaire or anything). I am good with it