Pennsylvania a top ‘gambling-addicted’ state

WalletHub — “an award-winning finance company that empower consumers to lead financially healthy lives,” according to its about page — recognizes both gambling’s prominence and the problem it poses for many, noting in a new report how people headed to casinos lose more than $100 billion per year in total gambling losses.

This report, then, specifically wanted to look into which states were the most “gambling-addicted,” grading each of the 50 across two main categories — “Gambling-Friendliness” and “Gambling Problem & Treatment” — as well as various sub-metrics including “Gambling Machines per 1,000 Residents;” “Lottery Sales per Capita;” “Share of Adults Aged 18 and Older with Gambling Disorders;” and “‘Gamblers Anonymous’ Meetings per Capita.”

Pennsylvania ranked as the fifth overall most gambling-addicted state, and actually tied in first with four other states — Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, and Delaware — for having the most “Gambling-Related Arrests per Capita” as well.

“Gambling addictions can destroy lives the same way that alcohol and drug addictions can,” says WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe. “While some people may be able to enjoy casual gambling from time to time, others need to avoid temptation altogether.

“People with a gambling addiction may find it helpful to live in states where places to gamble are less prevalent and laws against betting are stricter.”

The rest of the top five states included Louisiana in fourth; Montana in third; South Dakota in second; and Nevada in first.