New study compares gambling addiction in the US

A new study by WalletHub published earlier this week has taken stock of the level of gambling addiction across individual states in the United States. The survey looked into what it claimed are the "Most Gambling-Addicted States" as per the original title, with five states topping the list, among which were Nevada, South Dakota, Montana, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.

The states appeared in the ranking in the same order. WalletHub sought data and input from all 50 states in the country and admitted that problem gambling impacts an unspecified number of people in the United States, or between 1-3% of all adults. Consumers are losing $100bn every year playing various gambling products, a point highlighted by the report itself.

Yet, WalletHub did not stop at simply pulling the numbers of problem gamblers. The company similarly looked into how likely certain states were to have treatment facilities and an effective network of help services. Nevada may have topped the list when it comes to problem gambling, but the Silver State also offered some of the best treatment options as well.

Nevada, though, is considered to be the most gambling-addicted state with 2.7% of its population actually showing a gambling-related disorder. However, the support services offered are the highest per capita. Nevada mostly relies on tourists to boost its gambling economy, but the activity has rubbed off on the locals as well.

Montana has about 2.5% of its adults showing gambling disorder symptoms, for example. WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe has offered insight into the issue and report itself, arguing that gambling addictions can indeed have serious consequences.

"While some people may be able to enjoy casual gambling from time to time, others need to avoid temptation altogether," Happe said.

She also suggested that people who suffer from gambling addiction may find it easier to live in states that either restrict the level of gambling or have tougher laws and better support services overall.

In the meantime, an effort is ongoing in the United States to introduce the first National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program which will formally allow consumers to exclude themselves from gambling anywhere in the regulated market in the United States, starting with New England.

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