Gambling in the USA

The states with the best support for problem gambling have been revealed

Published

3 years ago

April 28, 2022

George Miller

Expanding Online, Mobile Gambling Options to Underlie Revenue Gains

Nevada, the best state for gambling in America, takes first place as the state with the best help for gambling addictions
Oregon comes in second place, with the second-highest spending on problem gambling treatment per capita
Louisiana, one of the most well-known gambling states, comes in seventh place

Nevada has the best support for problem gambling in America, new research has revealed.

Online gambling experts, CasinoGrounds, investigated which states have the best support for problem gambling and gambling addiction in America. States received a score out of 10 for factors based the popularity of gambling and presence of problem gambling in the state, the number of treatment facilities, and the amount of funding each state has towards supporting gambling addictions.

Nevada, the top gambling state in America, has also been revealed to be the best state for supporting problem gambling. Thanks to Las Vegas, the state is infamous for its gambling opportunities, but the data shows that it has the best support for those suffering from gambling addiction. The state has the country’s fifth-highest percentage of people suffering with a gambling problem, at 2.7%, but also provides the most treatment facilities of any state. With 123 gamblers’ anonymous meetings available throughout the state per week and state affiliate associations to the NCPG and state-specific agencies, Nevada has the best support for problem gambling.

The second best state for supporting gambling addiction is Oregon. Another popular state for gambling due to the wide variety of legal games available, Oregon comes in sixth place for the presence of problem gambling – of the total adult population, 2.6% are believed to suffer from a gambling addiction. The state has the second-highest spending on treating problem gambling, at $1.41 per capita. The state also has both state affiliations to the NCPG and state-specific agencies, providing the widest variety of support to Oregon residents.

Coming in third place is Connecticut. The state has one of the lowest percentages of problem gambling in America, at 1.1% of the adult population, coming second to Michigan. Once again, the state has both state affiliations and specific agencies providing support. Connecticut ranks fourth on access to gambling addiction treatment facilities, with 64 locations throughout the state. When it comes to spending on problem gambling, Connecticut comes sixth, at $0.90 per capita.

In fourth place is Michigan, boasting the lowest incidence of problem gambling in America at 0.5%. This could be the reason why the state ranks low on facilities and spending on treatment of gambling addiction, ranking 21st on facilities, and spending only $0.23 per capita.

Closing out the top five is Massachusetts, where 1.7% of the adult population reportedly suffer with a gambling addiction, with the state spending a total of $6.8 million on support and treatment, equating to $0.98 per capita. Massachusetts comes in fifth place for treatment facilities, with 41 weekly Gambling Anonymous meetings throughout the state and 107 facilities for treatment.

At the other end of the scale, the states that provide the least support for problem gambling include Hawaii, Utah, and Alaska, all of which have a legal ban on gambling, explaining why there is little support in the state. However, Idaho and Arkansas, coming 48th and 49th respectively, both rank poorly due to the lack of spending on treatment for problem gambling and the lack of facilities available.

The states providing the best support for problem gambling:

Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

State	Best support for problem gambling	% of population suffering with problem gambling	Spending on problem gambling treatment per capita ($)	Problem gambling treatment facilities ranking
Nevada	1	2.7%	0.56	1
Oregon	2	2.6%	1.41	6
Connecticut	3	1.1%	0.90	4
Michigan	4	0.5%	0.23	21
Massachusetts	5	1.7%	0.98	5
Delaware	6	1.4%	1.44	34
Louisiana	7	1.3%	0.61	10
Nebraska	8	2.2%	0.88	22
Ohio	9	1.4%	0.55	16
Maryland	10	1.9%	0.62	12
Missouri	11	2.2%	0.04	39
North Dakota	12	1.5%	1.05	35
New York	13	1.2%	0.15	9
Iowa	14	1.2%	0.99	36
Arizona	15	1.6%	0.28	7
Pennsylvania	16	2.2%	0.51	17
New Jersey	17	2.8%	0.30	3
Rhode Island	18	2.2%	0.14	2
Indiana	19	1.2%	0.16	20
Florida	20	1.1%	0.12	24
Wisconsin	21	1.3%	0.08	11
South Dakota	22	1.4%	0.20	19
Washington	23	2.1%	0.21	8
Minnesota	24	3.6%	0.40	13
Oklahoma	25	2.2%	0.28	14
California	26	1.9%	0.22	18
Kentucky	27	1.1%	0.02	27
Kansas	28	2.8%	0.31	25
Illinois	29	2.2%	0.09	15
Georgia	30	1.4%	0.04	29
West Virginia	31	2.2%	0.83	38
North Carolina	32	2.2%	0.10	30
Colorado	33	2.4%	0.04	23
New Mexico	34	1.2%	0.41	37
Mississippi	35	3.9%	0.09	26
Virginia	36	2.2%	0.00	31
Texas	37	2.2%	0.00	32
Montana	38	2.5%	0.04	33
Washington	39	0.0%	0.00	28
Vermont	40	2.2%	0.32	42
Alabama	41	2.2%	0.01	44
Maine	42	2.2%	0.07	40
New Hampshire	43	2.2%	0.02	41
Tennessee	44	2.2%	0.03	45
South Carolina	45	2.2%	0.01	43
Wyoming	46	2.2%	0.05	46
Hawaii	47	2.2%	0.00	47
Idaho	48	2.2%	0.00	48
Arkansas	49	2.2%	0.00	49
Utah	50	2.2%	0.00	50
Alaska	51	2.2%	0.00	51

A spokesperson for CasinoGrounds commented on the findings:

“Gambling addiction is a very serious and often dangerous issue that can affect millions of individuals. It is interesting to see how much support is available across the United States to support those suffering and help people on the road to recovery. Nevada is one of the most well-known states for gambling, so it is promising to see the state coming out on top providing the most support to residents. Gambling addiction is a very serious problem everyone should seek the support they need to avoid taking gambling beyond a healthy level.”

The research was carried out by CasinoGrounds.com, the leading online gambling community, which promotes safe and responsible practice and discussions around gambling.

Related Topics:CasinoGrounds support for problem gambling

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Gambling in the USA

California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.

Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage

The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.

Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.

Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions

Among key licensing matters:

500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.

Key Employee Licensing Actions

The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:

Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny

The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.

Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.

Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals

Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:

HCAL, LLC
JCM Global
Konami Gaming, Inc.
PDS Gaming, LLC

Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.

Notable Withdrawals and Denials

In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.

A Broader Look Ahead

With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.

Gambling in the USA

NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2025

Peter Tolan

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.

Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.

The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.

On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.

Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”

For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”

Gambling in the USA

Sky River Casino Guest Wins Half-million Dollars Playing Progressive Blackjack

Published

1 month ago

April 8, 2025

Niji Narayan

Sky River Casino has announced that an Elk Grove resident has won a whopping $511,311 while playing progressive blackjack on March 31, 2025. The Sky River Rewards member hit the big win after playing the table game for less than an hour.

“Our progressive table games and slot machines continue to be really hot here at Sky River Casino. Our players have had an impressive number of life-changing jackpots and our winning streak continues. We look forward to the next big win and welcome adults near and far to visit to explore and enjoy our high-energy atmosphere, lively promotions, exciting gaming, and unparalleled dining experiences,” said Michael J. Facenda, President of Sky River Casino.

The lucky local guest plans to use her winnings to renovate a kitchen and build a house back home.

“Without question, the best part of my job is watching our valued members and guests experience jaw dropping wins like this one. We all share in the incredible excitement that is absolutely contagious and can be felt throughout the casino,” said Charleen Ripley, VP of Casino Operations for Sky River Casino.