HOUSTON – It’s not a stretch to say Texas has a competitive nature, but it’s all fun and games until problems arise. And according to a recent report, the problem is the Lone Star State might have a bit of a gambling problem.
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Researchers at WalletHub looked at all 50 states as part of their “2025’s Most Gambling-Addicted States” report. They compared data ranging from illegal operations, lottery sales, to the share of adults with gambling disorders.
The results spoke for themselves; Texas was ranked 11th in gambling addicts. Luckily, it’s not higher than Nevada, which unsurprisingly was ranked the highest, while Utah ranked the lowest.
Texas is one of the strictest states, however, when it comes to gambling. According to state law, someone commits an offense if they:
- Make a bet on the partial or final result of a game or contest, or on the performance of a participant in a game or contest;
- Make a bet on the result of any political nomination, appointment, or election, or on the degree of success of any nominee, appointee, or candidate; or
- Play and bet for money or something of value at any game played with cards, dice, balls, or any other gambling device.
Some exceptions do include the state lottery, charitable bingo, or animal racing.
“Gambling addictions can destroy lives the same way that alcohol and drug addictions can,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst, said in a statement. “While some people may be able to enjoy casual gambling from time to time, others need to avoid temptation altogether. People with a gambling addiction may find it helpful to live in states where places to gamble are less prevalent and laws against betting are stricter.”
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To see the full report and how other states compared, click here.