High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Frontier Gambler is one of the most recognizable stock characters of the American West. Usually presented as a gentlemanly southerner living outside of the law, gamblers were historically of both sexes, were of many different nationalities, and were part of a well-respected profession. One of the most famous figures from the American West is the frontier gambler. In movies, TV, and books he is often portrayed as a tall, mustachioed, Southern gentlemen with a great sense of honor and a cool demeanor. Historically, however, gamblers were of many nationalities and included women in their ranks. They came from a variety of professions and class backgrounds and many individuals gambled professionally and made a living out of gaming. The gambler continues to be a captivating figure in the image of the west and represents the openness of western society and a close association between the west and risk-taking. As the west became increasingly populated and domesticated, the public perception of gambling changed to a negative one and led nearly all of the state and territorial legislatures to pass anti-gaming laws in and effort to "clean up" their towns.