Gambling in Everyday Life: Spaces, Moments and Products of Enjoyment

Gambling in Everyday Life aims to produce the first cultural study of gambling in everyday life, to develop critical and empirical methods, and to make cultural studies of gambling accessible to an interdisciplinary and transnational readership by applying Nicoll’s original concept of ‘finopower.'

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 03 June 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into the intricate relationship between government and gambling, employing a critical cultural studies lens to explore its pervasive presence in everyday life. Through a qualitative approach to gambling, it establishes a novel theoretical framework for understanding the pressing concerns raised by research and policy in the field.

Over the past two decades, the gambling industry has witnessed remarkable growth, with annual global expenditure estimated at approximately 300 billion dollars. However, the majority of academic research on gambling has focused solely on problem gambling and has been conducted within the psychological sciences. Nicoll's book stands out as the first interdisciplinary cultural study of gambling in everyday life, recognizing the unprecedented integration of gambling into various cultural spaces, moments, and products.

By adopting a critical and empirical approach, the book offers a fresh perspective on gambling, shedding light on its pervasive presence in workplaces, investment practices, and leisure activities. It contributes to the growing body of cultural studies literature on video and mobile gaming, providing valuable insights into the cultural and political implications of these forms of gambling.

In addition to original case studies that capture gambling moments and spaces, in-depth interviews and participant observations provide readers with an insider's view of the gambling industry. This book is particularly valuable for advanced students of sociology, cultural theory, and political science, as well as academic researchers interested in understanding the cultural and political work of gambling industries in liberal societies.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138777439