David G. Schwartz, is a writer, historian, and Director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Schwartz's areas of specialty include the history of gambling, casino surveillance and security, gaming and technology, casinos and social media, and related issues.
Often quoted by local and national print and television media, his straight-shooting analysis, tempered by a genuine understanding of how the industry works, has made him a provocative interview. He has been dubbed "gaming's leading historian" by Global Gaming Business magazine.
Born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Schwartz earned his bachelor's degree (a double major in anthropology and history) as well as his master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania before seeking his doctorate in US History from UCLA.
He became the youngest Ph.D. in recent memory from UCLA's history department, filing his dissertation and receiving his Ph.D. at the age of 26 in early 2000. His dissertation, Suburban Xanadu, charted the evolution of the casino industry on the Las Vegas Strip from 1945-1978. It is now a published book, the first of three currently available.
After completing his graduate studies, Schwartz worked in the surveillance department of an Atlantic City casino resort and taught casino history, communications, and hospitality courses as an adjunct professor.
Since 2001, Schwartz has been in charge of the Center for Gaming Research within Special Collections in UNLV's Lied Library.
With the release of Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling, Schwartz has established himself as one of this generation's foremost voices on the often-controversial topic of gambling. His experience in researching this epic history of world gambling gives his analysis a rare depth.
Outside of his work at UNLV, Schwartz remains busy as an author, speaker, and consultant. He lives in Las Vegas.
Dr. Schwartz writes the weekly "Green Felt Journal" column for Vegas Seven magazine, sharing news about the latest developments in Las Vegas gaming and tourism. In additon, his opinion pieces appear biweekly in the Las Vegas Business Press, and his articles on Atlantic City and Las Vegas history appear monthly in Casino Connection. His three books are available online and at booksellers everywhere.
He has been quoted by writers for the Associated Press, UPI, Reuters, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wired, Congressional Quarterly Weekly, Indianapolis Star, Philadelphia Inquirer, New Orleans Times-Picayune, International Gaming and Wagering Business, Player, San Francisco Chronicle, Crane's Business, Los Angeles Times, Reno Gazette Journal, Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and many other newspapers and magazine.
He has appeared in news stories about Las Vegas and gaming on CNN, CNBC, Speigel TV (Germany), Court TV, National Public Radio's Marketplace, The Savvy Traveler, All Things Considered, and Morning Edition, CBC Radio, Swiss National Radio, CNN Radio, and on local news programs in Las Vegas, San Diego, Philadelphia, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and New York City.
He has appeared onscreen in several documentaries, including "Secrets of the Palms," "Secrets of New York New York," "Vegas Whales Tales" (Travel Channel); "The History of Poker," "Modern Marvels: Casino Technology," and "Anything to Win" (History Channel). He has served as an offscreen consultant for these and several other programs.