The history of the United States is peppered with contradictions. Whenever religion and values come into play, two sides form and typically share equal victories and losses over the course of time. For instance, consider this: Is gambling be it bingo or roulette just another form of entertainment? Since the first colonists came to the New World, they have wrestled with that question and, like just about everything in life, it depends on your point of view.

The law enforcement community in the United States has traditionally been of the general opinion that gambling needs to be regulated and limited to specifically designated forms, depending on the region.

There are those entrepreneurs in the U.S. who consider gambling an economic boon to society and are taking advantage of the increased popularity of games such as poker, roulette and bingo. Governmental bodies have recognized the potential monetary value of legal gambling, usually in the form of a lottery. The cities of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, rely heavily on revenue produced by legal casinos.

It?s hard to deny that gaming has grown in the U.S., especially with the rise of legalized gambling on Native American land. Reasons are as varied as the types of games offered at a casino. Much of the expansion can be attributed to a relaxed view by the government on gambling. Another reason is that one state sees a bordering neighbour making money through wagering and feels it needs to follow suit to stay competitive.