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$35.94
Over/Under: An Unexpected History of Sports Betting—
$35.94
The Story
Named one of the most anticipated nonfiction books of 2026 by The New York Times Book Review The definitive, colorful history of American sports betting that challenges the dialogue around one of our country's fastest growing (and most controversial) industries. Taking readers on a rollicking journey through the history of American sports betting, Over/Under proposes a fascinating and unexpected theory: What if sports betting isn't just a result of the multibillion-dollar American sports industry, but rather the primary reason for it? An essential catalyst for nearly two hundred years of sports fandom and obsession? The narrative starts in mid-nineteenth-century New York City, as a new sport called baseball lures bettors out of shadowy gambling halls and into the fresh air. The story then heads to Churchill Downs and Augusta National Golf Club where sports betting dresses up in fancy outfits, to Chicago and Minneapolis where sports betting meets the Mafia and gets some structure, and to Las Vegas and the Caribbean where sports betting makes some people very rich. Along the way, the story rolls out a cast of colorful characters: hustlers, wise guys, moguls, opportunists, grifters, touts. A parade of personalities, year after year, all trying to make a quick buck. Because isn't that the whole point? Written for those eager to explore the history of a recently-legalized industry--one that's been described both as a financial bonanza and an impending disaster--Over/Under is poised to become the definitive history of a controversial industry in the midst of incredible, yet uncertain, growth.
Author: David Bockino
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 9.07h x 5.92w x 1.43d
ISBN: 9798897101139
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
David Bockino, after spending eight years working for ESPN, is now an associate professor of sport management in the School of Communications at Elon University. He's the author of Game On: How Sports Media Grew Up, Sold Out, and Got Personal with Billions of Fans. Emmanuel Morgan, a sports reporter at The New York Times, called it "a fascinating read for any sports lover" while Richard Deitsch at The Athletic wrote, "Bockino has thrown himself into an examination of this ever-evolving world with passion and an engaging writing style." David lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife and three children.
Author: David Bockino
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 9.07h x 5.92w x 1.43d
ISBN: 9798897101139
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
David Bockino, after spending eight years working for ESPN, is now an associate professor of sport management in the School of Communications at Elon University. He's the author of Game On: How Sports Media Grew Up, Sold Out, and Got Personal with Billions of Fans. Emmanuel Morgan, a sports reporter at The New York Times, called it "a fascinating read for any sports lover" while Richard Deitsch at The Athletic wrote, "Bockino has thrown himself into an examination of this ever-evolving world with passion and an engaging writing style." David lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife and three children.
Description
Named one of the most anticipated nonfiction books of 2026 by The New York Times Book Review The definitive, colorful history of American sports betting that challenges the dialogue around one of our country's fastest growing (and most controversial) industries. Taking readers on a rollicking journey through the history of American sports betting, Over/Under proposes a fascinating and unexpected theory: What if sports betting isn't just a result of the multibillion-dollar American sports industry, but rather the primary reason for it? An essential catalyst for nearly two hundred years of sports fandom and obsession? The narrative starts in mid-nineteenth-century New York City, as a new sport called baseball lures bettors out of shadowy gambling halls and into the fresh air. The story then heads to Churchill Downs and Augusta National Golf Club where sports betting dresses up in fancy outfits, to Chicago and Minneapolis where sports betting meets the Mafia and gets some structure, and to Las Vegas and the Caribbean where sports betting makes some people very rich. Along the way, the story rolls out a cast of colorful characters: hustlers, wise guys, moguls, opportunists, grifters, touts. A parade of personalities, year after year, all trying to make a quick buck. Because isn't that the whole point? Written for those eager to explore the history of a recently-legalized industry--one that's been described both as a financial bonanza and an impending disaster--Over/Under is poised to become the definitive history of a controversial industry in the midst of incredible, yet uncertain, growth.
Author: David Bockino
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 9.07h x 5.92w x 1.43d
ISBN: 9798897101139
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
David Bockino, after spending eight years working for ESPN, is now an associate professor of sport management in the School of Communications at Elon University. He's the author of Game On: How Sports Media Grew Up, Sold Out, and Got Personal with Billions of Fans. Emmanuel Morgan, a sports reporter at The New York Times, called it "a fascinating read for any sports lover" while Richard Deitsch at The Athletic wrote, "Bockino has thrown himself into an examination of this ever-evolving world with passion and an engaging writing style." David lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife and three children.
Author: David Bockino
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 06/02/2026
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 9.07h x 5.92w x 1.43d
ISBN: 9798897101139
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
David Bockino, after spending eight years working for ESPN, is now an associate professor of sport management in the School of Communications at Elon University. He's the author of Game On: How Sports Media Grew Up, Sold Out, and Got Personal with Billions of Fans. Emmanuel Morgan, a sports reporter at The New York Times, called it "a fascinating read for any sports lover" while Richard Deitsch at The Athletic wrote, "Bockino has thrown himself into an examination of this ever-evolving world with passion and an engaging writing style." David lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife and three children.
