Though many view the United States as the planet’s top gambling mecca, the activity is not as freely allowed in the Land of the Free as many would think. Hawaii and Utah, two regions with deeply religious communities, do not allow betting practices on their soils.

Which states gamble the most?

Gambling, in some form, is legal in the other forty-eight states, but to varying degrees. And, while federal law allows it, specific and significant restrictions had been in place for decades about interstate betting, primarily stemming from the 1961 Wire Act that aimed to curb the rise of organized crime in the mid-20th century, chiefly the Mafia.

The top legal occurrences of note that dramatically affected gambling entertainment in the US are the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which permitted tribal gaming venues, the 2011 DOJ novel interpretation of the 1961 Wire Act that allowed online casinos to get run, and the 2018 repeal of PASPA that lifted the federal ban on sports betting in America.

Hence, the gambling landscape in the world’s number one economy looks much different nowadays than at the start of the 21st century. Today, the US is a much more developed market, posting total gaming revenues of $60.4 billion in 2022, showing an increase of $7 billion compared to the previous year. Below is a quick rundown of the main contributing US territories to the country’s gambling revenue generation.

5. Indiana

In 2022, Indiana’s casino industry pulled in $2.4 billion in annual revenues, and the state’s sports betting operators accepted wagers totaling $4.5 billion, a 16.7% jump compared to the 2021 figure. The Hoosier State authorizes ten brick-and-mortar/riverboard gaming locales on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan and one establishment on land in French Lick. On top of these, Indiana also has two racinos and one tribal gambling spot. Sports betting went live in the state famous for the Indy 500 and its vast farmlands in September 2019, and this sector segment is significantly swelling year-on-year.

4. Louisiana

Louisiana has four federally-approved Indian casinos and forty-three commercial ones that support over forty thousand jobs, generate $3.17 billion in yearly revenues, and have an economic impact of $6.13 billion. Internet sports betting in the Pelican State officially launched in January 2022, with retail wagering allowed in October 2021. These two spheres brought $36 million in tax revenues in 2022 to government coffers per the state’s Gaming Control Board.

3. New Jersey

Even with sports betting revenues declining in 2022, the overall gambling figures in the popularly called Garden State hit a joint-record high of $5.2 billion, an almost $500 million increase compared to 2021. It is noteworthy to highlight that New Jersey was the first US state, a decade ago, to legalize cash casinos online. And Jersey’s boardwalk attraction, Atlantic City, is America’s second most visited gambling-themed tourist destination, hosting nine high-end gaming venues.

2. Pennsylvania

Last year, Pennsylvania s Gaming Control Board reported that gambling revenues in the Coal State surpassed $5.2 billion last year, slightly topping those attained in New Jersey. It may surprise many that Pennsylvania frequently beats New York’s sibling concerning gaming/betting revenues. But its fourteen land-based casinos get massive foot traffic, mainly from New York and Ohio residents, which is the lead cause of this. Though that may soon change, everyone seems to be adopting a more liberal stance towards betting hobbies.

1. Nevada

Around four hundred and forty casinos get operated actively in Nevada. And before the repeal of PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act), Battle Born State was the only US region that allowed sports betting. Hence, it is widely known that it is head and shoulders over the competition concerning gambling revenues, generating around $15 billion ($14.8 billion from gaming) annually.

FAQ

What state produces the most gaming revenues?

To no one’s shock, that is Nevada, with $14.8 billion for gaming and $446.7 million for betting, with most of these funds coming from Vegas.

How many us regions permit gaming establishments?

Forty-four out of the fifty states in the US has some form of casino gambling.

How many states have no tribal venues?

At the time of writing, nineteen states have no Indian casinos.

How many states have legalized online casinos?

Six. New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

How many states allow mobile sports betting?

According to the American Gaming Association, twenty-six states currently allow internet sportsbooks to operate from within their borders.

To Sum Up

Gambling is a growing global industry, and the same applies to the US, where traditionally, this pastime has not been as laxly regulated as many laypeople believe. Without question, Nevada has long sat at the throne as the nation’s top gambling territory, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey trailing behind, competing for the runner-up spot. That said, Indiana and Louisiana can give them a run for their money soon.