Horse racing is America's number one spectator sport. It is also an important social phenomenon affecting the daily lives of millions of people. The behavior patterns of inveterate horse players are here, for the first time, thoroughly investigated. The author, who is himself a veteran horse player, has selected 65 fellow gamblers for his study. He identifies and analyses the social-psychological components involved in sustained participation at gambling. He addresses the perplexing question of why gamblers persist at an activity that is so personally costly. This book provides valuable insight into the phenomenon of sustained gambling and since several state legislatures are considering bills to legalize off-track betting, both advocates and opponents of such legislation would appreciate the scientifically developed information concerning already established off-track betting groups.