This survey of the theory and practice of gambling uses examples from an international range of sports betting markets. Gambling markets offer economists a fascinating case study of how information efficiency operates in a market. Insights gained from gambling interest many: governments (who tax gamblers), financial market analysts (who gamble on the financial markets), and, lastly, mathematicians (who analyze the puzzle of gambling).

This survey of the theory and practice of gambling uses examples from an international range of sports betting markets. Gambling markets offer economists a fascinating case study of how information efficiency operates in a market. Insights gained from gambling interest many: governments (who tax gamblers), financial market analysts (who gamble on the financial markets), and, lastly, mathematicians (who analyze the puzzle of gambling).

There is growing interest among academics and policymakers in the economics of gambling, which has been stimulated by major regulatory and tax changes in the U.S., U.K. Continental Europe, Asia, Australia and elsewhere. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive source of path-breaking research on this topic. To fill this gap, we commissioned chapters from leading economists on all aspects of gambling research. Topics covered include the optimal taxation structure for various forms of gambling, factors influencing the demand and supply of gambling services, forecasting of gambling trends,...