High Stakes: The Rising Cost of America's Gambling Addiction

What the explosive growth of legalized gambling means socially, politically, and economically for America.

In High Stakes, journalist and gambler Sam Skolnik explores legalized gambling from multiple perspectives--from those of politicians eager for reform to anti-gambling activists. He profiles Las Vegas, where he lives; writes about Gamblers Anonymous, which hosts over 1,600 meetings across the U.S.; and even examines the science of problem gambling, and how it's now understood as a medical condition as opposed to a moral failing. Provocative and engaging, Skolnik's candid account of his own gambling experiences will compel readers. Capitalizing on current events, Skolnik explores how casino expansion has been impacted by the recent economic downturn to suggest that despite the recession, the industry continues to profit from high-stakes gambling.