TOP 10 GAMBLING HISTORY BOOKS

Human beings have engaged in gambling activities throughout thousands of years of civilisation. The history of gambling spans thousands of years, starting with bone dice games in ancient times before evolving into the luxurious casino complexes of Las Vegas and Macau. These books present a detailed exploration of gambling history by tracing the development of chance games throughout different times and places.

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Why Read Gambling History Books?

These books demonstrate how chance operations have influenced the development of societies through their historical accounts of games. They present three main aspects of their content.

·     How ancient civilisations created their initial gambling systems.
·     The books demonstrate how gambling functions within cultural frameworks, political systems, and religious institutions.
·     The establishment of gambling regulations created both democratic freedom and restricted individual liberties.
·     The books examine how modern casinos and lotteries evolved through time.
·     The books tell the stories of prominent figures who established themselves as leaders during different periods of gambling history.

A man standing outside a casino leaning against his car, thr image is black and white

DAVID G.SCHWARTZ, I.NELSON ROSE & MARTIN OWENS & NATASHA DOW SCHULL

1.            Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling - David G.Schwartz

·     The most complete worldwide history of betting, covering everything from ancient dice games to modern Las Vegas and Macau casinos. The book provides an engaging and detailed exploration of gambling history, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the subject.

 

2.            A History of Gambling in the United States – I. Nelson Rose & Martin Owens

·     The book extensively analyses American gambling through its legal framework and cultural and social aspects, while showing how American society influenced its development.

 

3.            Grandissimo: The First Emperor of Las Vegas - David G.Schwartz

·     Focuses on Jay Sarno but simultaneously presents a historical account of Las Vegas development. The book analyses how Jay Sarno created innovative strategies which led Las Vegas to become the world's leading casino destination.

4.            Addiction by Design – Natasha Dow Schüll

·     Schüll investigates the historical development of machine-based gambling in Las Vegas through a psychological lens. The book demonstrates how slot machines were engineered for extended play which results in a dual analysis of cultural evolution and contemporary addiction patterns.

PETER BAILEY, I.NELSON ROSE & PETER FERENCZI

5.            Betting on Fate: Gambling and Religion in World History – Peter Bailey

·     The book investigates how different cultures have viewed gambling throughout history, starting with Christianity's negative stance and ending with its acceptance in other societies.

 

6.            Gambling and the Law - I. Nelson Rose

·     Investigates in his book how legal systems developed through the history of games of chance while demonstrating their impact on liberty and democracy. Rose's book examines how legal systems developed through the history of chance games, connecting these developments to democratic freedom and individual rights.

 

7.            The History of Gambling – Peter Ferenczi

·     The book presents an illustrated worldwide history of gaming, including various games from different cultural backgrounds throughout different time periods. It combines visual appeal with deep historical information, making it suitable for readers at all levels.

A woman dressed as a nun standing not far from a casino looking away from it
A man sitting at a red felt topped games table sipping a spirit from a glass wearing victorian era clothing

DAVID G.SCHWARTZ, ANDREW STEINMETZ & BRIAN MASTERS

8.            Suburban Xanadu: The Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip – David G. Schwartz

·     Schwartz examines the development of contemporary casino resorts by analysing how the Las Vegas Strip evolved into a major entertainment centre. The book explores how casinos evolved into entertainment centres instead of basic betting facilities.

 

9.            The Gaming Table: Its History and Literature – Andrew Steinmetz

·     Steinmetz wrote this 19th-century book to present Victorian-era insights about gambling culture and games. It is a valuable historical record of how people viewed gambling in the past.

 

10.           The Casino: A History of Gaming – Brian Masters

·     Masters delivers a wide-ranging examination of casino history throughout the world. The book tracks the transformation of European gaming houses into international casino resorts while providing readers with a broad understanding of casino evolution.

 

These books demonstrate how gambling activities have influenced the development of social structures, cultural practices, and economic systems.

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A roulette wheel with a slot machine in the background and WELCOME TO FABULOUS LAS VEGAS NEVADA at the bottom

THEMES THESE BOOKS COVER, WHAT THESE BOOKS TEACH & THE OVERVIEW

Themes These Books Cover

The most valuable gambling history books expose recurring elements which span multiple centuries.

·     The books “Roll the Bones” by David Schwartz, “The History of Gambling” by Peter Ferenczi, and “The Casino” by Brian Masters represent global historical perspectives on gambling.

·     The books by Schwartz present two separate histories about America and Vegas through “Grandissimo” and “Suburban Xanadu”. Rose & Owens examine American gambling history in “A History of Gambling in the United States”.

·     Bailey, Steinmetz, and Rose Schüll's books examine gambling from cultural, religious, societal, and legal perspectives.

·     The book “Addiction by Design” by Natasha Schüll examines the development of the gaming industry.

What These Books Teach

·     The historical accounts of gambling provide readers with knowledge about human conduct, social structures, and risk management practices.

·     Throughout history, human beings have consistently engaged in gambling activities.

·     Throughout history, people have demonstrated three main attitudes toward gambling: acceptance, regulation, and prohibition.

·     Casinos serve as indicators showing the direction of cultural, political, and economic developments in society.

·     The development of gambling activities tracks the natural progression of human societies.

·     Studying historical development enables people to understand modern casinos through their historical context.

 

Overview

From Schwartz’s sweeping “Roll the Bones” to Steinmetz’s Victorian “The Gaming Table”, these books capture the long and complex history of gambling. They reveal how games of chance shaped cultures, laws, and economies across the world.

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