Description
Book Synopsis Gambling was once illegal and controlled by gangsters. But today, gambling is legal in forty-eight states. Are states now addicted to revenue from casinos, lotteries, and online gaming? Clary’s history of American gambling introduces us to the industry’s colorful kingpins while asking tough questions about the pros and cons of legal gambling.
Trade Review“David Clary delivers an encompassing look at the fascinating, ongoing evolution of American gambling. He touches on all the right topics – the mob, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, fantasy sports – to tell the story of where we’ve been, how we got here, and where we’re headed.” -- David Purdum * ESPN Chalk *
"This timely inquiry raises important questions about the relationship of Americans to gambling and is essential reading for those interested in the politics and policy behind gambling." -- David G. Schwartz * director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas *
"An inherently fascinating and impressively informative study,
Gangsters to Governors... is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library American History collections" -- Carl Logan * Midwest Book Review *
"
Gangsters to Governors: The New Bosses of Gambling in America... goes back to the earliest days of gambling in America, betting on horse racing in the early 19th century. It covers state-run lotteries, legal gambling in Nevada, and mob control over Las Vegas in the 20th century... Among the most compelling issues Clary raises is how states and their governors have become leading advocates of gambling because they’re ever more dependent on the revenue it provides." -- Michael Shapiro, author of “A Sense of Place" * San Francisco Chronicle *
"It's a fascinating topic" - Full interview here -- Maureen Cavanaugh * KPBS *
"A well-written, tidbit-laden reference book about gambling in the U.S. from its beginnings to 2017." * Las Vegas Review-Journal *
"Journalist David Clary’s book,
Gangsters to Governors, is a fascinating read, chronicling gaming from the time of the mobsters forward to the relationships of politicians and state legalized gambling." -- Howard Hian * travel/gaming writer for PokerResorts.net and managing editor of Travel Savvy News *
"Deeply researched, easily readable and highly engaging,
Gangsters to Governors is an excellent read for fans of gambling and of American business and political history." * Casino City Times *
"How the Supreme Court's sports gambling decision may affect your bets" by David Clary op-ed * San Diego Union-Tribune *
"Sports betting likely coming to California, but not soon" by Michael Shapiro mention of
Gangers to Governors * San Francisco Chronicle *
"Supreme Court ruling opens door to widespread sports betting" by Matt Villano
Gangsters to Governors mention * GlobalSport Matters *
Table of ContentsContents
Prologue Bad Bet: New Jersey and
the Revel Atlantic City Fiasco
PART I
Dens of Thieves: Government Muscles Out the Mob
1 The Sport of Kings: Horse Racing
and the Dark Power of the Wire
2 Golden Ticket: State-Run
Lotteries Topple
Illegal Numbers Rackets
3 State of Play: Nevada Breaks New Ground
with Legalized Gambling
4 Mob Scene: Crime Syndicates Overwhelm
Authorities in Nevada
5 Enemy Within: Government Fights Back
Against Mob Influence
6 Vegas, Inc.: Corporate America Takes
Command in Sin City
PART II
All In: The New Masters of Gambling
7 Siren Song: The Spectacular Rise
and Fall of Atlantic City
8 Betting on a Boom: States Promote
Casinos as Engines of Revival
9 Rise of the Tribes: Tribes and States Forge
Uneasy Gambling Partnerships
10 A Tangled Web: America's Deeply Conflicted
Approach to Online Gambling
11 Games without Frontiers: Scandals, Bookies,
Fantasy Sports, and an Uncertain Future
Epilogue Double or Nothing: States Neglect
the Human Cost of Problem Gambling
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index
