Summary

Images of Las Vegas or Atlantic City quickly come to mind when Americans think of gambling, but gambling occurs in many different forms. The lottery is very popular, but other examples include betting on dog races, horse races, and other sporting events. In recent years, new casinos built on Native American land have appeared in many states, making gambling more accessible. The rise of Internet gambling has made it possible for millions of people around the world to play games of chance without ever leaving their homes. Proponents of gambling argue that casinos and related businesses create jobs and generate state revenues, while opponents see gambling as a destructive habit that can lead to addiction.

The Truth About Gambling takes an in-depth look at gambling, providing useful facts on its history, related social and legal issues, and current facts and figures. This accessible new A-to-Z guide features up-to-date information in a user-friendly format.

Entries include:

• Addiction and gambling
• Binge gambling
• Depression and gambling
• Help for gamblers
• History of gambling
• Internet and online gambling
• The law and gambling
• Prevention and intervention
• Risk-taking
• Social gambling.

Specifications

Charts and graphs. Index. Glossary. Further reading. Web sites. Hotlines.

About the Author(s)

Larry Ashley, Ed.S., LCADC, CPGC, a leading expert on PTSD and issues related to addiction, has been involved in the substance abuse and trauma field for 35 years as a college educator, researcher, and therapist. He is currently Director of the Problem Gambling Treatment Program, Addictions Specialist and Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine.

Meghan E. Pierce is a graduate assistant in problem gambling counseling and has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Reviews and Awards

"...provides good coverage of this topic...in an easy-to-read and easy-to-comprehend format that should appeal to young adults."