Booklist

Until recently gambling was seen as a moral failure rather than an addiction. This informative (if sometimes repetitive) title in the Compact Research: Addictions series explains the evolution in thinking about gambling, as well its hallmark signs. An overview, which hits many of the key points, is followed by chapters that look at why people become addicted, the costs involved, and how to overcome gambling addiction (with resources provided for those who need help). The book dispels the commonly held notion that gamblers are interested in a big payout; mostly they are looking to get “in the zone” and experience the high that comes with playing these games. The book is peppered with charts, graphs, and primary source quotations, and will strike a chord with kids who have gambling issues in their family—or may be gambling themselves.