Designed to serve as a one-stop information source and guide to in-depth exploration, this volume examines legalized gambling and the civic and personal issues at stake. From local economics and crime to problem gamblers and religious beliefs, all the key issues in the political debate are explored. The work also provides a historical look at the gaming industry and its dynamic spread across the United States and Canada in many forms, including casinos, state lotteries, charity bingo games, pari-mutuel betting, and, more recently, video poker. Profiles of investors, operators, and players are included as well as a detailed chronology, facts, statistics, legislation, an annotated bibliography, and a listing of gaming-industry and related government organizations.