California Ranks High in Gambling Addiction
Although online and sports betting remain illegal in California, the Golden State still finds itself just outside the top 10 on WalletHub’s list of states with the highest gambling addiction rates.
A WalletHub study comparing the 50 states found that California ranked 11th overall. The study utilized a dataset of 20 key metrics ranging from the presence of illegal gambling operations and lottery sales per capita to the proportion of adults struggling with gambling disorders.
California’s ranking was particularly high in two specific categories: Gambling Problem and Treatment Rank (7th) and Gambling-Related Arrests Per Capita (8th).
It’s important to note that not all gamblers are the same. According to WalletHub, ‘recreational’ or ‘social’ gamblers engage in occasional lottery purchases, infrequent casino visits, or small-stakes fantasy sports betting while maintaining control over their spending habits and avoiding financial harm.
However, when gambling spirals out of control, it can develop into a serious medical condition known as gambling disorder, affecting approximately 1-3% of U.S. adults. This addiction can have severe economic consequences. While the gambling industry reported a record $66.5 billion in revenue last year, U.S. consumers incur over $100 billion in total gambling losses annually.
Unsurprisingly, Nevada, home to the iconic Las Vegas, topped the list as the state with the highest gambling addiction rate.
