Governing Gambling - Softcover

Mason, John Lyman; Nelson, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0870784684 ISBN 13: 9780870784682

Publisher: Twentieth Century Fund, 2001

Synopsis

In the early 1970s, seven states had lotteries and one state had casinos. Today, some form of legal gambling exists in all but three states. What accounts for this rapid growth in legal gambling in the United States? John Lyman Mason and Michael Nelson tackle this complex question, highlighting two factors to explain gambling's proliferation: the decentralized nature of gambling regulation and policymaking, and the tendency of states to respond to policy changes made by their neighbors. As they appraise the politics behind gambling policy at the state, tribal, and federal levels, the authors detail the influence of interest groups, campaign contributions, and public opinion in bringing about the current wave of gambling legalization. Noting that changes in gambling policy often take place without a careful evaluation of costs and benefits, Mason and Nelson offer a number of recommendations for improving decisionmaking and protecting the public interest.

About this title

About the Author:

John Lyman Mason is former assistant professor of political science at Rhodes College and presently Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Central Area, for Pulte Homes. Michael Nelson is a professor of political science at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

About this edition

• Publisher: Twentieth Century Fund
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0870784684
• ISBN 13: 9780870784682
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 125