Casino gambling has been an integral part of the Shreveport - Bossier City economy for nearly three decades. Lottery sales across the state - and nation - are growing. Meanwhile, with 55 of 64 parishes saying yes to sports gambling, lawmakers in Baton Rouge are working out the specifics that some say could be in place for the start of this fall's football season.

The point is this, in Louisiana and throughout America, legalized gambling of all types is spreading.

But not all gamblers are the same. “Recreational” or “social” gamblers, for instance, buy the occasional lottery ticket, take the rare casino trip or bet small stakes on their favorite team. But they also are mentally able to quit at any point and prevent catastrophic financial loss.

But gambling is not always a harmless past time. Gambling disorder, as it’s known, affects 1 to 3% of all U.S. adults. And some experts say it may be on the increase due to increased isolated time spent online during the pandemic. The consequences are staggering. Most addicts cannot afford to pay back their losses. Over time, they amass even more debt, suffer from other health issues, lose their jobs, strain or destroy their relationships or even commit crimes.

The gambling problem, however, is much bigger in some states than in others. Personal finance website, WalletHub, has compared all 50 states to determine where excessive gambling is most prevalent. The data set of various metrics range from legal gaming to the presence of illegal gambling operations to lottery sales per capita to the share of adults with gambling disorders.

And despite not being in the top five of casinos-per-state, gaming machines-per-capita, or highest lottery sales, Louisiana nonetheless ranked #5 in the USA in WalletHub's list of Most Gambling Addicted States.

Gambling Addiction in Louisiana:
-13th – Casinos per Capita
   
-7th – Gaming Machines per Capita
      
-3rd – Gambling-Related Arrests per Capita
   
-4th – Commercial Casinos Revenues per Capita
     
-9th – “Gamblers Anonymous” Meetings per Capita

Most Gambling Addicted States:

1) Nevada

2) Mississippi

3) Montana

4) South Dakota

5) Louisiana

Least Gambling Addicted States:

1) Utah

2) North Carolina

3) Maine

4) Michigan

5) Mexico

To see the statistics, information on metrics and the complete list of WalletHub's list of Most Gambling Addicted States, JUST CLICK HERE!

 

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