A new study from WalletHub ranked all 50 U.S. states from most to least gambling-addicted.
Noting that U.S. consumers experience over $100 billion per year in total gambling losses annually, the new WalletHub study ranked the states on the prominence of gambling problems and treatment as well as the level of gambling-friendliness in each, grading them on a 100-point scale with 100 points representing the highest level of gambling reliance a state can have.
Read More: Gen Z voters showed up in recent elections. This group wants to build on that in 2026
WalletHub is a personal finance company that provides consumers with tools to improve credit scores, compare credit card offers and personal loans and gain a “holistic picture” of their financial health. The company also conducts studies, including recent studies covered by the Citizen Times that placed North Carolina in the top 10 state economies countrywide, ranked the best and worst states to live in and more.
Here’s what the study found in North Carolina, plus the most and least gambling-addicted states, a quick rundown on N.C.’s gambling laws and more.
Is there a lot of gambling addiction in North Carolina?
According to WalletHub’s findings, North Carolina’s gambling-friendliness rank is not particularly high at No. 36 out of the 50 states. Despite this, the Tar Heel State ranks high for gambling problems and treatment, coming in at No. 9 in the nation. Its total combined score of 37.42 places it at No. 29 out of the 50 states for most gambling-addicted states.
Are there casinos in North Carolina?
The only casinos that are legal in the state are those located on Indian reservations and operated in compliance with the Tribal-State Gaming Compact.
Three casinos operate in North Carolina under the gaming compact, including Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino in Murphy, according to 500nations.com.
Is online gambling legal in North Carolina?
While certain forms of online gambling are legal in N.C., such as digital instant lottery games through the state’s education lottery, real-money online casinos are illegal in the state. NCgaming.gov explains that it is illegal to place a wager with an online operator not licensed by the state.
Is online sports betting, daily fantasy sports legal in NC? Is DraftKings legal in NC?
Yes, online sports betting with licensed operators is legal in North Carolina. Gamblers must be 21 years of age or older, and bets can only be placed on sports approved by the N.C. Sports Wagering Catalog.
Which states gamble the most?
According to WalletHub, the top 10 most gambling addicted states in 2026 are:
- No. 1 – Nevada
- No. 2 – South Dakota
- No. 3 – Montana
- No. 4 – Mississippi
- No. 5 – Louisiana
Which states gamble the least?
On the other end of the spectrum, the least gambling-addicted states include:
- No. 46 – Hawaii
- No. 47 – Kansas
- No. 48 – Alaska
- No. 49 – Vermont
- No. 50 – Utah
Reporting by Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times / Asheville Citizen Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
