ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor's note: The video above originally aired in March of 2019
With the running of the Kentucky Derby rapidly approaching, friends and family will be exchanging a few bills while wagering on the outcome of the storied horse race.
But for some, the lure of gambling can be more problematic, and can even lead to financial ruin. In the big picture, The Economist says U.S. consumers experience over $100 billion in gambling losses.
Some states have more of a problem with gambling than others. Personal finance website WalletHub recently compared the 50 states in 21 key metrics (from number of casinos per capita and lottery sales to percentage of adults with a gambling disorder) to find out where excessive wagering is more prevalent.
It may surprise you that Minnesota ranked as the 8th most gambling-addicted state in the U.S., based on high rankings in a number of categories.
Gambling Addiction in Minnesota (1=Most Addicted, 25=Avg.):
- 9th – Casinos per Capita
- 15th – Gaming Machines per Capita
- 1st – % of Adults with Gambling Disorders
- 16th – Gambling-Related Arrests per Capita
- 1st – Legality of Daily Fantasy Sports
- 1st – Legality of Sports Gambling
WalletHub's data says Nevada is the most gambling-addicted state in America, with Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana and Louisiana rounding out the top five. The least gambling-addicted state is Utah, with North Carolina, Maine, Michigan and New Mexico right behind.
For more on the rankings or to read the full report, check out the WalletHub website.