Illinois Ranks Among the Most Gambling-Addicted States

It’s no secret that humans have always loved the thrill of gambling. Anthropologists believe gambling dates back to around 3000 BCE, but let’s be honest - it was probably happening even earlier than that. From ancient dice games to flashy casinos and now the ever-growing world of online poker and sports betting, gambling has evolved into a major part of modern entertainment.

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From Casual Fun to Serious Consequences

For most folks, it’s just a fun way to pass time - maybe betting on a game or grabbing some scratch-off tickets with friends. A little thrill, a little hope, and maybe, just maybe, a little extra money. But for some, it becomes more than a game. Gambling addiction is a real condition, affecting nearly one in three American adults, according to research.

It’s this time of year, when fans prepare for the Kentucky Derby, when WalletHub releases its annual report of the states that are the most (and least) impacted by problem gambling. Their study considered two main factors: how “gambling-friendly” each state is (think number of casinos, lottery sales, and sports betting access) and how well states are managing the issue with treatment resources, support meetings, and even arrest statistics.

Does Indiana, Illinois & Kentucky Have a Gambling Addiction?

So, how addicted to gambling is the Tri-State? Illinois ranks as one of the most gambling-addicted states in the country, landing at #15 overall. Indiana is just slightly less addicted, landing at #22. Kentucky is even further down the list at #35.

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The Most Gambling Addicted States in America

It should come as no surprise to anyone in the world that Nevada, home of Las Vegas, once again is #1 on the list as the most gambling-addicted state. Rounding out the top five were South Dakota, Montana, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

You can scroll over the map below to see how the rest of the states ranked, and you can see the full report and all of the data here.