Bad Bet : The Inside Story of the Glamour, Glitz, and Danger of America's Gambling Industry
Author: Timothy O'Brien
List Price: $25.00
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ISBN: 0812928075
Publisher: Crown Business (08 September, 1998)
Sales Rank: 100,127
Average Customer Rating: 4.81 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Bad bet is the best bet I've made this year
Tim O'Brien has written a can't-put-it-down book. I read a lot -- two or three books a week -- but rarely buy books (to be quite honest) because cash is usually short. But after flipping through "Bad Bet" at the bookstore for just five minutes I found myself at the cash register ponying up the entrance fee for the most fascinating read I've had this year. O'Brien has written the book I thought nobody ever would: Through deft and often hypnotic story telling, he takes us on an almost magical tour of the gambling world, with all its colorful characters, from weird to pathetic to greedy to swashbuckling. It is obvious he has done his research; the tone is authoritative throughout. But he doesn't pile on detail; he weaves it into his narrative. And that is the key word: narrative. Too many books bore you to death with their expertise; "Bad Bet" is simply a terrific tale, or rather collection of tales, held together with a strong point of view that nevertheless recognizes the many nuances of the gambling phenomenon. Thank God, it is never preachy; indeed, the only thing I question about the book is the title, as it honestly explores the positive side of gambling. Anyhow, I give this book five stars, the only one I've read in many a moon to rank that many.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Anyone who thinks casinos are innocent fun should read this
I live near one of the big casino riverboats mentioned in O'Brien's book and I read this book out of curiosity more than anything. Prior to reading this, I had NO idea how much intense lobbying - as well as graft and corruption - were behind the gambling industry. One tidbit I found especially disturbing is the story behind how gambling was legalized in my home state.
"Bad Bet" tells of a former Midwest governor who was in power when Argosy Gaming made it's big push to get gambling legalized in this state. (Argosy won) Now that we have riverboats all over our state, this former governor now *works* for Argosy Gaming.
Rapes and robberies went up 33% in Atlantic City, New Jersey after the casinos opened there.
"Bad Bet" it tells of the subtle and overt techniques casinos use to lure people in and entice them - to keep the money flowing. Even the layout of casinos is done with much forethought as to the best way to separate people from their money.
And O'Brien talks about how the gambling industry goes looking for communities in economic straights to set up shop. (which is exactly what happened in our city)
This is a powerful book. I think every local or civic leader that has a casino in their community or is even considering allowing casinos in, should pause and read this book. It'll open their sleepy eyes to some hard ugly truths.
Having lived in a community that invited the riverboats in, I see firsthand that O'Brien is telling the truth about what to expect when big gambling comes to town. It's a sad affair.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Great Read
This is a comprehensive examination of gambling in America, so well written I put aside the thriller I was reading to pick this up each night. Well researched, balanced, and thorough, it should be read by everyone on both sides of the gambling issue.
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