Play Casino has compiled a list of the most gambling-obsessed states in the US, based on per capita gross gaming revenue (GGR), highlighting regions where gambling is a significant economic and cultural activity. GGR includes revenue from casinos, sports betting, and online gaming where legal, adjusted for population to show intensity.
Their analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the top 10 US states with the highest per capita gross gaming revenue (GGR), identifying those most “gambling-obsessed” based on their engagement with casino gaming, sports betting, and online gambling (iGaming). GGR, the amount gambling operators win from players, serves as a proxy for gambling activity, adjusted for population to reflect intensity. The analysis draws on data from 2023, ensuring relevance for current trends, and includes methodological considerations, state-specific insights, and unexpected findings.
Methodology and Data Sources
The analysis began by compiling total GGR for each state, encompassing casino gaming, sports betting, and iGaming where legal. Data for casino GGR was sourced from Statista Casinos, which includes both commercial and tribal casinos for 2023. Sports betting revenue was gathered from Covers Sports Betting, and iGaming revenue from PlayUSA Revenue, focusing on states with legal online casino operations. Population data was obtained from the US Census Bureau’s 2023 estimates via Populationdata.org.uk to calculate per capita GGR.
The challenge was aggregating data across different gambling types, as not all states have legal sports betting or iGaming. For states without reported iGaming (e.g., Iowa, Mississippi), only casino and sports betting revenues were included. Estimates were cross-checked with state gaming commission reports, such as the West Virginia Lottery Commission and Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, to ensure accuracy. The per capita GGR was calculated by dividing total GGR by the state’s population, providing a normalized measure of gambling intensity.
Findings: Top 10 Most Gambling-Obsessed States
The following table summarizes the top 10 states, their total GGR, population, and per capita GGR for 2023, ranked by per capita GGR:
| Rank | State | Total GGR (USD) | Population | Per Capita GGR (USD) |
| 1 | Nevada | 15,500,000,000 | 3,214,363 | 4,822 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 5,780,000,000 | 9,291,269 | 622 |
| 3 | Mississippi | 2,350,000,000 | 2,948,498 | 797 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 5,700,000,000 | 12,972,008 | 440 |
| 5 | Louisiana | 2,700,000,000 | 4,590,241 | 588 |
| 6 | Michigan | 5,600,000,000 | 10,077,314 | 556 |
| 7 | Delaware | 470,000,000 | 989,000 | 475 |
| 8 | Iowa | 1,300,000,000 | 3,200,000 | 406 |
| 9 | Maryland | 2,450,000,000 | 6,178,477 | 396 |
| 10 | West Virginia | 701,000,000 | 1,793,000 | 391 |
Detailed Analysis by State
- Nevada: With a per capita GGR of $4,822, Nevada is the undisputed gambling capital, driven by Las Vegas and Reno’s extensive casino offerings. Its total GGR of $15.5 billion includes $14.8 billion from casinos and $700 million from sports betting, reflecting its status as a tourist destination where gambling is a cultural cornerstone. The state’s population (3.21 million) amplifies its per capita figure, making it a magnet for both locals and visitors, as reported by Forbes Nevada Record.
- New Jersey: Ranking second with $622 per capita, New Jersey benefits from Atlantic City’s casinos ($2.85 billion GGR) and a robust iGaming market ($1.92 billion), plus $1.01 billion from sports betting. Its population of 9.29 million supports a diverse gambling ecosystem, with online platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel driving high engagement, especially post-COVID, as noted by NJ Gaming Enforcement.
- Mississippi: Third with $797 per capita, Mississippi’s $2.35 billion GGR ($2.3 billion from casinos, $50 million from sports betting) reflects its riverboat casinos, particularly in Biloxi and Tunica. With a population of 2.95 million, its high per capita ranking highlights regional gambling enthusiasm, drawing visitors from neighboring states, as per Casino.org Mississippi.
- Pennsylvania: Fourth at $440 per capita, Pennsylvania’s $5.7 billion GGR ($2.46 billion slots, $972 million tables, $1.74 billion iGaming, $459 million sports betting) underscores its status as a gambling powerhouse. Its 12.97 million residents support numerous casinos like Parx and Rivers, with iGaming adding significant revenue, as reported by PA Gaming Control Board.
- Louisiana: Fifth with $588 per capita, Louisiana’s $2.7 billion GGR ($2.4 billion casinos, $300 million sports betting) is driven by New Orleans and riverboat casinos. Its 4.59 million population shows a strong gambling presence, with Mardi Gras and tourism boosting activity, especially in urban centers, as per Statista Casinos.
- Michigan: Sixth at $556 per capita, Michigan’s $5.6 billion GGR ($3.9 billion casinos, $500 million sports betting, $1.2 billion iGaming) reflects its legal gambling expansion. With 10.08 million residents, Detroit’s casinos and online platforms like BetMGM contribute to its ranking, showing a growing gambling appetite, as noted by MGCB News Release.
- Delaware: Seventh with $475 per capita, Delaware’s small population (989,000) and $470 million GGR ($400 million casinos, $20 million sports betting, $50 million iGaming) make it a standout. Its early adoption of iGaming and casinos like Dover Downs amplify per capita figures, despite limited scale, as per Statista Casinos.
- Iowa: Eighth at $406 per capita, Iowa’s $1.3 billion GGR ($1.1 billion casinos, $200 million sports betting) serves its 3.2 million residents. Casinos in Council Bluffs and Des Moines, plus sports betting, indicate steady gambling interest, though not as intense as coastal states, as reported by Iowa Racing and Gaming.
- Maryland: Ninth with $396 per capita, Maryland’s $2.45 billion GGR ($2.2 billion casinos, $250 million sports betting) reflects its 6.18 million population. Baltimore’s casinos and sports betting, especially around NFL games, contribute to its gambling culture, though less dominant than neighbors, as per Casino.org Maryland.
- West Virginia: Tenth at $391 per capita, West Virginia’s $701 million GGR ($551 million casinos, $50 million sports betting, $100 million iGaming) serves 1.79 million residents. Its emerging iGaming market and casinos like The Greenbrier mark growing gambling activity, particularly in rural areas, as noted by WV News.
Challenges and Limitations
The primary challenge was aggregating data across gambling types, as not all states report iGaming or sports betting uniformly. For instance, tribal casino revenues in states like Oklahoma were included in Statista’s figures, potentially skewing comparisons with states relying on commercial casinos. Additionally, GGR reflects operator wins, not total customer expenditure, which varies by house edge (e.g., 5-10% for slots, 2-5% for table games). This means per capita GGR may underrepresent actual gambling obsession in states with lower house edges. Future research could benefit from state-specific expenditure surveys to capture consumer behavior more accurately.
Unexpected Insight
An unexpected finding was Delaware’s seventh-place ranking ($475 per capita), surpassing larger states like New York ($317 per capita). This highlights how smaller, iGaming-focused states can exhibit high gambling intensity, driven by early adoption and compact casino markets, challenging assumptions that only urban, populous states dominate gambling activity.
Conclusion
This analysis identifies Nevada, New Jersey, and Mississippi as the most gambling-obsessed states, with per capita GGR reflecting their deep gambling cultures. States like Pennsylvania and Michigan show robust activity across multiple gambling types, while smaller states like Delaware and West Virginia punch above their weight. These findings underscore the diverse landscape of US gambling, where legal frameworks, tourism, and population size shape obsession levels, offering insights for policymakers and enthusiasts alike.
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