Gambling addiction runs high in Nevada, with South Dakota and Montana following closely?
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Posted on: April 22, 2025, 09:34h.
Last updated on: April 22, 2025, 09:43h.
Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinORead MoreGambling Addiction TrendsGaming IndustryFinance & Personal MoneyPolitics WalletHub reports: These states struggle most with gambling* Nevada claims the top spot by a landslide* South Dakota, Montana, and surprising entrants make the top 5*
Let the dice roll! WalletHub has revealed the states wrestling the hardest with gambling addiction, with surprising outcomes. Nevada, unsurprisingly, takes the championship belt once more.
WalletHub's 2025 study evaluates each state across 20 factors, encompassing the number of casinos and gaming machines per capita to the proportion of adults struggling with gambling disorders.
No state bids adieu to Sin City quite like Nevada. Vegas has long flaunted its title as the gambling capital of the U.S., raking in more dough than any other region. However, the surprise factor emerges with the states chasing Nevada.
In second place, we find South Dakota, known for its Black Hills Gold Rush town, Deadwood, where gaming halls line Main Street, and tribal casinos dot the landscape. South Dakota's lottery sales per resident aged 18+ place it at 10th, a testament to the reach of gambling in the Mount Rushmore State.
Next up is Montana, famous for its tremendous number of gaming machines and casinos, making it the third most gambling-addicted state. Montanans can even place bets on sports and horse races or try their luck with electronic gambling machines in retail and convenience stores.
As for the other spots, Pennsylvania and Mississippi secure fourth and fifth places, respectively. Gaming revenue in Pennsylvania comes a close second only to Nevada and New Jersey, while Mississippi's riverboats and Gulf Coast casinos remain a luring force.
Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Oregon, and New Jersey complete the top 10.
The Gambling Capital of the U.S.
Las Vegas remains the epicenter of gambling in the U.S., losing over $15.6 billion in 2024. Nevada ranks first in both casinos and gaming machines per capita, giving its residents ample opportunities to become addicted.
"Nevada's continued hold on the top spot for gambling addiction comes as no shock, considering the sheer accessibility to legal gaming in the state," WalletHub reported.
*WalletHub cautions its readers to approach gambling as a form of entertainment, not a means to make money. Those struggling with gambling addiction may find solace in states with fewer gambling facilities and stricter laws.
"While some individuals might maintain a healthy balance between entertainment and gambling, others might need to steer clear of temptation altogether," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo shared.
[1] https://wallethub.com/edu/scores/most-gambling-addicted-states/76581/[2] https://usatoday.com/story/news/2023/01/13/wallethub-least-gambling-addicted-states-2023/68971539007/[3] https://www.upi.com/Casino-Business/2025/04/22/Nevada-named-most-gambling-addicted-state-in-WalletHub-study/2921643510672/[4] https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/most-gambling-addicted-states[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/most-gambling-addicted-states-in-us-2025-4
- Nevada continues to hold the title of the most gambling-addicted state, according to WalletHub's 2025 study.
- In second place is South Dakota, where gambling is deeply ingrained, as evident in the Black Hills Gold Rush town of Deadwood.
- Montana follows closely, with a large number of casinos and gaming machines, making it the third most gambling-addicted state.
- Pennsylvania and Mississippi secure fourth and fifth places, respectively, with significant gaming revenues in Pennsylvania and Mississippi's riverboats and Gulf Coast casinos.
- The list also includes Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Oregon, and New Jersey in the top 10.
- Las Vegas, Nevada, remains the epicenter of gambling in the U.S., with a high number of casinos and gaming machines per capita.
- WalletHub advises readers to approach gambling as a form of entertainment, not a means to make money, especially for those struggling with gambling addiction.
- Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, suggests that while some people might maintain a healthy balance between entertainment and gambling, others might need to avoid gambling altogether for their wellbeing.
