Herbert Asbury, Sucker's Progress: An Informal History of Gambling in America from the Colonies to Canfield. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1938.

In this overview of America's history of gambling, Asbury describes how professional gamblers traveled far and wide, spreading the gospel of gambling to cities and towns from coast to coast. As the title implies, the book is written in an informal, often humorous style.

Andy Bellin, Poker Nation: A High—Stakes, Low—Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country. New York: HarperCollins, 2002.

Bellin, an avid poker player, examines how America's favorite card game has instilled itself into popular culture. He offers advice on playing the game and recounts the exploits of poker fanatics in card clubs, both legal and illegal, across the country.

Jeff Benedict, Without Reservation: The Making of America's Most Powerful Indian Tribe and Foxwoods, the World's Largest...