Gambling Under the Swastika

Additional Book Details

Although much has been written about the Nazis, one aspect of their rule has been all but overlooked: gambling. While philosophically opposed to gambling, in practice the Nazis relied on gambling to prop up Germanys economy, earn hard currency, and wage war. In this engaging new work, Professor Robert M. Jarvis (Nova Southeastern University) presents the first comprehensive look at gambling in the Third Reich.

After summarizing Germanys pre-Nazi gambling laws, Jarvis describes how, within months of coming to power, the Nazis re-opened Baden-Badens famed casino (shuttered since 1872), took control of the countrys horse tracks, and encouraged citizens to play the lottery (to fund social welfare programs). With the advent of war, the Nazis use of gambling increased. While in some countries (such as the Netherlands) the Nazis used gambling to curry favor with the local citizenry, in others (such as Poland) gambling became another means of waging war.

Jarvis also takes readers inside the Nazis concentration and prisoner of war camps, where illicit gambling flourished. Other subjects covered include the Nazis treatment of compulsive gamblers, their suppression of dog racing (due to the countrys progressive animal welfare laws), the use of gambling to carry out espionage missions, and the Nazis special rules for gambling by Jews.

Relying on an impressive wealth of domestic and foreign sources, Jarvis has crafted an important new account of the Nazi regime. The book includes exhaustive notes, a comprehensive bibliography, a detailed index, and 45 illuminating photographs.