Rachel A. Volberg

Rachel A. Volberg is the author of When the Chips Are Down: Problem Gambling in America, from which the following analysis of gambling participation trends in the United States is excerpted. According to Volberg, middle—class Americans have steadily increased their gambling activity over the past twenty—five years, a trend that mirrors the expansion of gambling from casinos to bars, convenience stores, and other places where it had never been available. These new gamblers span all age groups and races and include nearly equal numbers of men and women. Nonetheless, prevailing attitudes toward gambling remain complex, with many Americans expressing strong reservations about the spread of legalized gambling, despite their tendency to gamble. In the author's opinion, gambling may decline in popularity over time as the public learns to balance work and family commitments with easy access to gambling. However...