(Author here) It's complicated :-). I will say: it's hard to define "gambling" in the corporate setting.
Is it gambling to do an extra project in hope of getting a "Spot Bonus" (~$250-$1000) in recognition? That was a very standardized process at Google.
Is it gambling to file a patent application, which if approved, would lead to a $1000 bonus and a trophy you'd often see on the desks of Google Brain researchers?
Is it gambling to decline auto-sale of RSUs, and have your compensation determined more by movements in GOOG than in your cash salary?
Is it gambling to do an extra project in hope of getting a "Spot Bonus" (~$250-$1000) in recognition? That was a very standardized process at Google.
Is it gambling to file a patent application, which if approved, would lead to a $1000 bonus and a trophy you'd often see on the desks of Google Brain researchers?
Is it gambling to decline auto-sale of RSUs, and have your compensation determined more by movements in GOOG than in your cash salary?