House of Cards: Hope for Gamblers and Their Families (Focus on the Family) [Paperback]

Tom Raabe (Author), James C. Dobson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2001

Gambling's increasing acceptance as an "innocent pastime" has taken a devastating toll. House of Cards takes an unflinching look at the industry that profits from the desperate dreams of its addicts--and ruins families. Offering hope to compulsive gamblers and those who love them, this book shows gamblers how to face their addiction and break free from its grip. Includes foreword by Dr. James Dobson.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Besides describing gambling problems and how to help problem gamblers and their families, Raabe relays enough history of legalized gambling in the U.S and enough about the recent nationwide embrace of gambling by states and municipalities to make this an estimable resource in the fight against gambling. It is fascinating to learn that gambling was legal twice before in U.S. history and was banned both times for some of the same reasons it is reviled today--namely, increases in crime and corruption wherever it is tolerated. Raabe regards the damage problem gamblers do to themselves and their families as an even more important reason for prohibiting gambling yet again. He endorses the work of Gamblers Anonymous, though he criticizes it for failing to follow other 12-step programs' policy of stressing belief in a higher power as essential to changing addictive behavior. He strongly advocates Christian conversion or rebirth to cure problem gamblers, but he is not sectarian, and his evangelical bent colors but hardly vitiates the powerful antigambling argument he constructs. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (September 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561799238
• ISBN-13: 978-1561799237
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,927,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, January 6, 2008

By 

S. Gillingham (Arizona) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: House of Cards: Hope for Gamblers and Their Families (Focus on the Family) (Paperback)

If you are looking for information about gambling from the Christian point of view, I would highly recommend this book. Even if you aren't Christian, it is very throrough about all aspects of gambling. I have a loved one struggling with this issue, and it helped me grasp the many issues involved with gambling. It was also highly educational regarding the motives of the gambling casinos.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff, April 17, 2010

By 

John E. Patten "Pat" (Adel, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: House of Cards: Hope for Gamblers and Their Families (Focus on the Family) (Paperback)

As a Christian marriage counselor I read a lot of books and try to find helpful resources for my clients. In helping a family with a gambling addiction I put this book into their hands. The feedback from them has been positive and they commented that it's good to have some practical help and know others are dealing with this problem. I think it is a great resource for those struggling with gambling addiction in this age of "legal" gambling that temps so many.