"Normal" people don't seem to use either term. They just play games. They watch films, listen to music, etc without feeling the need to label their watching and listening as hardcore or casual and they treat games in exactly the same way.

As we all spend time on games forums none of us are "normal" and as a whole we do feel the need to label ourselves. I'm casual in everything I do, bar my internet use. I have a short attention span, don't get caught up in hype about upcoming games, and will happily wait until something is cheap to buy it rather than preordering or queuing to get something at launch.

Neither casual nor hardcore gamers are inherently insults. It just depends on context as people can turn anything into childish arguments.

its not an insult to like casual games

Yes, you stupid casual gamers

 That is an insult.

No cuz you could instead be called 'hardcore' = nerdy with no friends

Casual gamers must die.

stick and stones may break our bones, but people who take the time to insult someone based on thier choice of entertainment are big time losers. i know that doesn't ryhme but i had to say it anyways. my fav game is rb6 vegas online, there are tons of hardcore people on their and i guess i am one of them however the other day i was playing my son's open season.. not a very good game but i don't give a crap what people say, that is the point and neither should any of you!

 Huh? That doesn't imply that one necessarily has a life outside video game if they are labled as a 'casual' gamer. All it implies is that they don't play games as often, and even then, it may mean different things to others. What that person does with that extra time certainly isn't implied. It may be the case that the said 'casual' gamer spends the majority of their time on forums

But to answer the initial question; no, I don't believe it to be an insult, nor do I believe 'hardcore' would be. I agree with d21lewis, it really depends on the receipient.