As might be expected, the state with the most gaming casinos also is the one with the most gambling addicts, a new study indicates.
Nevada edged South Dakota as the states whose residents are “most-addicted” to gambling, according to WalletHub, a financial consulting firm.
Both states tied for the most casinos per capita, and Nevada edged South Dakota for the nation’s top ranking for numbers of gaming machines per capita. South Dakota also tied for the nation’s most per-capita lottery sales, while Nevada does not have a state lottery.
WalletHub assessed states by prevalence of gaming, which includes casinos, lotteries, horse racing, sports betting, legal daily fantasy sports, and illegal gaming.
It also compared states based on the prevalence of gambling problems and treatment, including how many residents in each state have been diagnosed with gambling disorders, numbers of arrests related to gambling, and the availability of treatment programs and other options to help problem gamblers.
Due to its second-place ranking in the gambling treatment category, Hawaii ranks 27th among the most-addicted states, despite having no legal gaming.
Ranking as the least-addicted state is Utah, which also has no legal gaming and ranks last among gambling-related arrests.
Mississippi and Minnesota tied for the nation’s most adults diagnosed with gambling disorders, with Louisiana, New Jersey, and Ohio rounding out the top five. Florida recorded the least number of residents diagnosed with gambling disorders.
About 2 percent of the U.S. population is afflicted with gambling disorder, which the Mayo Clinic says can stimulate the brain in a manner similar to drugs and alcohol, and cause addiction.
The National Council on Problem Gambling says problem gambling accounts for about $6 billion in spending every year, with the average male gambling addict owing up to $90,000 in debts, versus $15,000 for women gambling addicts.
