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SOMETHING FOR NOTHING by Clyde Brion Davis

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

By

Publisher: Lippincott

A surprising book from Clyde Brion Davis- this is a study of gambling, in all the phases encountered here. Some, to be sure, have their roots abroad- such as the Irish Sweepstakes and other lotteries, but the focus is on the part played in this country. The successive sections cover the following:- lotteries, roulette, faro, craps, horse racing, poker, slot machines, bingo, and a miscellany of minor types of gambling games. The sources of the games are explored- and flash glimpse given of their home territory (such as Monte Carlo)- of the places where they developed- of the adaptation here. The forces of law and order come off very badly, when recurrently extensive and excessive pay-offs are the price the gamblers pay for security. Different types of legislation are discussed in relation to the types of gambling (special emphasis on the often-in-the-news problem of Hingo as a money raising scheme). The ""high priests"" of gambling include such names as Morrissey, Canfield, Hardley, John Davis, Pendleton, McDonald, Flagler, Nick the Greek, Costello and others. Here's the source of much of the Kefauver investigations; here are other attempts- briefly successful- at cleanups. And at intervals the psychological implications are assessed. Very special.