For years gambling has been, according to Sports Illustrated, "America's national pastime". Now, the most famous sports-gambling establishment in the world gives the gambler and sports fan this coverage of basketball, boxing, football, baseball, horse racing, and more.

Horse racing in America dates back to the colonial era when street races were a common occurrence. The commercialization of horse racing produced a sport that would briefly surpass all others in popularity, with annual races such as the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes growing to rank among America’s most celebrated sporting events. From the very onset, horse racing and gambling were intertwined. As the popularity of racing and betting grew, so, too, did the controversies and corruption. Yet, despite the best efforts of social reformers, bookmakers stubbornly plied their trade, adapting and evolving as horse racing gave way to team sports as the backbone of their business. In Sports Betting and Bookmaking: An American History, Arne K. Lang provides a sweeping overview of legal and illegal sports and race betting in the United States, from the first thoroughbred meet at Saratoga in 1863 through the modern day. The cultural war between bookmakers and their adversaries is a recurring theme, as bookmakers were often forced into the shadows during times of social reform, only to bloom anew when the time was ripe. While much of bookmaking’s history takes place in New York, other locales such as Chicago, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City—not to mention Cyberspace—are also discussed in this volume. A comprehensive exploration of the evolution of bookmaking—including the legal developments and technological advancements that have taken place over the years—Sports Betting and Bookmaking is a fascinating read. This informative and engaging book will be of interest to anyone wanting to learn more about America’s long history with gambling on horse racing and team sports.

With the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, regulated sports betting has exploded in the United States, with more than half the states adopting legalized sports betting and many more poised for business. As a result, career opportunities with sportsbook operators and venues; sport leagues, teams, and sponsors; and gaming regulatory agencies abound for today’s students. The arrival of The Business of Sports Betting introduces the first dedicated text—written by a team of academic faculty and internationally recognized experts in the field—covering every aspect of the sports betting industry. It begins with a historical overview of sports betting and key legislation that has led to legalized betting today. Included are the various types of wagers available to bettors, the sports in which betting can take place, and the industry’s major stakeholders. Next, readers will examine the multiple layers of sports betting regulations in the United States and the interplay between federal laws, state authorization, and tribal governance. Regulatory frameworks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are covered, as well as compliance focal points addressing anti–money laundering regulations, placement of wagers, and the Bank Secrecy Act. The book then warns of the negative aspects of the business, such as illegal sports betting, gambling scandals, and match fixing; the risks associated with illegal betting; and harm from problem gambling. To combat these risks, guidelines are presented for protecting against illegal gambling, minimizing potential harms, and ensuring integrity in sports betting. Next, students learn the how-tos of establishing, operating, and marketing a sportsbook. Traditional brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are discussed in detail, including the many facility management considerations that come with operating and maintaining a physical venue. Students also learn about the various mobile sportsbooks available today (including websites, kiosks, and phone apps), how they operate, and their connection to and interaction with physical sportsbooks. In addition, the authors present marketing and advertising strategies for acquiring customers and forging relationships with teams, leagues, and sportsbooks. Special attention is given to the American Gaming Association’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering and its compliance considerations for sportsbook operators. Sports wagering is a data-driven business, and students will see how data are generated and transmitted to sportsbook operators. Managing and protecting that data is paramount to competitive advantage, and students will learn about intellectual property protections granted to sportsbook operators. Additionally, the book discusses the proliferation and potential positive and negative impacts of gamification and virtual currencies in sports betting. Chapters are punctuated with supplemental sidebars and case studies providing real-life examples of the positive and negative impacts of sports betting. The Business of Sports Betting offers a comprehensive introduction to the nuances of the sports betting industry, including the key players, regulatory environment, marketing and technology drivers, and business operations of a sportsbook.

Major League Baseball claims it hasn't had a game fixed by gamblers since 1919. No points have been shaved in the NBA since 1954. And the NFL states no game of theirs has come under outside influence – ever. These, however, are lies. The proof resides in FBI files only recently uncovered and discussed in Larceny Games.

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This one-volume reference provides a comprehensive overview of gambling in the Americas, examining the history, morality, market growth, and economics of the gaming industry. This is the most complete encyclopedia of gambling, covering the industry in great detail including the players, the games, the venues, and the surrounding social issues. Updates in this second edition reveal the impact of technological advances on the games, the growing legislation regulating the industry, and the expanding global footprint of gambling across the world—from Manitoba to Montana. Author William N. Thompson postulates on the impact of gambling on local communities and shows how the U.S. gaming industry is tied to the global market, most notably gaming expansion in Macau and Singapore. The book addresses the various forms of gaming, such as casino-based and online gambling, sports betting, and lotteries. Additional content examines the social issue of problem and pathological gambling and addresses the rehabilitation programs available for the mitigation and treatment of gambling problems.

This sleek guide emphasizes the details that busy and discerning travelers need to know: the very best venues and activities, the prime time to be in every spot, and packed with insider tips. Structured around styles (such as hot & cool, hip, classic) that make up Las Vegas' unique character, the guide's easy to use format gives travelers a selection based on the city's array of personalities, not geography or price.

“Rob Miech has outdone himself with this poignant, behind-the-curtains revelation of a world of parlays and money-line wagers, of mob-ruled games, and characters named Lem and Lefty. The brilliant storyteller weaves insight from some of the world’s most prominent names in sports betting into a historic, entertaining, and informative journey.” —Ed Graney, six-time Nevada sportswriter of the year for the Las Vegas Review-Journal The legalization of sports wagering has increased the pot exponentially. But navigating the new systems can be tricky. If you’re a newcomer ready to bet on sports as an occasional pastime, veteran sports writer and Las Vegas insider Rob Miech delivers a vital primer on terminology, options, and procedures. If you’re already taking advantage of the sports betting world as a money-spinning career, he shares the latest approaches and all-new game-changing techniques by tapping the skills, secrets of success, and cautionary counsel of players on both sides of the counter. With behind-the-scenes stories and no-holds-barred interviews with the legendary masters of betting, Sports Betting for Winners shows how, with the right information and a sprinkling of luck, you can capitalize on the numbers behind the numbers and take the bettor’s game to the next level. “Miech gives us the skinny on a billion-dollar business.I'll lay you 9-to-5 you'll feel richer for reading Sports Betting for Winners.” —Mike Downey, award-winning sports columnist, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times “A book on sports betting for everyone—entertaining, informative, anecdote-filled.” —Steve Rushin, author of Sting-Ray Afternoons and Nights in White Castle

Then One Day... describes the colorful scene of legal sports books in the memoir of Chris Andrews, who built a Las Vegas career out of sports betting.

In a stressful, turbulent world, sport can be an escape from reality. Yet sport actually mirrors the issues and problems of our world today, bearing the imprint of powerful forces of social change. This book offers a sociological perspective for seeing and understanding the place of sport in society and how it is affected by big business and by demographic, cultural, organization, economic, political, and technological change. Nixon writes vividly of the making and unmaking of heroes and celebrities. Throughout he shows how the combined influence of networks of major sports organizations, media corporations, and corporate sponsors is shaping sport around the world.