BOSSIER CITY, La. — Louisiana ranks fifth overall among the most gambling-addicted states in the U.S., according to a 2026 report released by personal finance company WalletHub.
The report evaluated all 50 states across 20 metrics, including gambling accessibility, betting activity and related social impacts. Louisiana’s top-five ranking reflects a combination of widespread gaming availability and permissive betting laws.
Louisiana ranked first in the legality of sports gambling, underscoring the broad access residents have to legal wagering. The state also placed seventh in gaming machines per capita and 12th in casinos per capita, indicating a high concentration of gambling infrastructure. Additionally, Louisiana ranked 10th in gambling-related arrests per capita.
WalletHub’s analysis comes as the U.S. gambling industry continues to expand, generating a record $78.7 billion in revenue last year. The growth has been driven in part by the rapid adoption of legalized sports betting across states following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The report highlights the dual impact of gambling expansion, noting that while it generates tax revenue and entertainment value, it also increases the risk of addiction and financial harm for some individuals.
Nevada ranked first overall in the study, driven by the nation’s highest concentration of casinos and gaming machines, along with one of the highest rates of gambling disorders.
The full report is available at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-most-addicted-to-gambling/20846.
WalletHub said the findings illustrate how policy decisions and market access continue to shape gambling behavior, placing Louisiana among the states most affected by gambling-related risks.