The first section discusses arguments favoring and opposing the legalization of gambling as well as theories on the effects legal gambling might have on society. Contributing authors in the second section examine a number of topics including the operation of a large Nevada gaming corporation and the issue of economic rationality in risk-taking and gambling. The section on the sociology of gambling analyzes a range of topics including the attitudes of casino dealers toward their jobs and the motivations of different types of casino players. Several chapters explore the psychology of gambling in terms of the motives and characteristics of normal and compulsive gamblers and the behavior of people when gambling. The final section applies mathematical tools and methods to various games to derive optimal player strategies. Chapter references