A recent study by personal finance website WalletHub reveals which states in the U.S. are the most gambling-addicted, with Nevada, home to a shimmering city synonymous with betting, coming out on top.
The report compared all 50 states using 20 metrics across gambling access and problem-gambling indicators to identify where excessive gambling is most prominent.
Why It Matters
WalletHub said gambling disorder affects about 1 to 3 percent of U.S. adults and can carry severe economic and personal consequences, even as the gambling industry reported a record $78.7 billion in revenue last year and U.S. consumers faced over $100 billion in total gambling losses.
“Gambling addictions can destroy lives the same way that alcohol and drug addictions can. While some people may be able to enjoy casual gambling from time to time, others need to avoid temptation altogether,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.
“People with a gambling addiction may find it helpful to live in states where places to gamble are less prevalent and laws against betting are stricter,” they added.
What To Know
Nevada ranked first overall, leading the nation in casinos and gaming machines per capita, and also ranking first for gambling‑related arrests per capita for illegal gambling.
WalletHub reported that about 2.7 percent of adults in the state have gambling disorders and that Nevada has the highest number of Gamblers Anonymous meetings per capita.
The state’s gambling laws are described as lax, allowing electronic gambling machines in retail locations and permitting sports and horse‑race betting.
South Dakota placed second, driven by what WalletHub said was one of the highest concentrations of casinos and gaming machines relative to its population.
The study also noted elevated lottery participation, with South Dakota ranking 11th in lottery sales per adult. WalletHub said the state has legalized fantasy sports, sports betting and horse‑race wagering and allows gambling machines in stores. South Dakota also has a high number of Gamblers Anonymous meetings per capita, it added.
Montana ranked third overall. WalletHub reported that roughly 2.5 percent of Montana residents have a gambling disorder, among the highest rates nationally. The study found that Montana has a large number of gaming machines and casinos per capita and allows sports and horse‑race betting, as well as electronic gambling machines in retail and convenience stores.
WalletHub also noted that the state does not have gambling counselors and does not require employee training on problem gambling, which it said may make recovery more difficult for some residents.
How It Was Calculated
WalletHub ranked the states by comparing all 50 across two main categories: “Gambling‑Friendliness” and “Gambling Problem & Treatment.”
Each category contributed to a state’s overall score, which was then used to rank the states nationally.
The analysis relied on 20 weighted metrics, with each graded on a 100‑point scale, where higher scores represented greater gambling dependency.
Gambling‑Friendliness, weighted at 70 percent of the total score, included measures such as casinos per capita, gambling revenues, lottery sales, the legality of various betting activities, the presence of retail gambling, and online search interest related to gambling.
Some measures, like casinos per capita and gaming machines, received heavier weighting.
The remaining 30 percent came from Gambling Problem & Treatment metrics, including the share of adults with gambling disorders, the availability of gambling counselors and Gamblers Anonymous meetings, gambling‑related arrests per capita, and whether states have policies such as employee training requirements, self‑exclusion programs, and treatment spending.
Think You Have a Problem? Check Out These Resources
▸ National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-522-4700; ncpgambling.org/) provides comprehensive resources for individuals struggling with gambling problems, such as screening tools, a confidential helpline and treatment guide.
▸ Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org), like its counterparts for people struggling with alcohol or eating addictions, provides peer support groups to help in recovery from problem gambling. Find local or virtual meetings on its website. Gam-Anon (gam-anon.org) offers support to family or close friends of compulsive gamblers.
▸ SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357; samhsa.gov/find- help/national-helpline), a service of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, can connect you with treatment and support for gambling problems, as well as other substance abuse and mental health issues, which frequently go hand in hand with compulsive gambling.