South Dakota 2nd Most Gambling Addicted State in U.S.

Life here in South Dakota is sometimes a whipsaw, rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, depending on where you live in the state. Yes we really do have an east river-west river divide that can be felt financially and societally.

On one hand financial and business progress leads to population growth (in some areas) with the prospect for better, higher paying jobs. Entertainment and dining options grow exponentially as do the circumstances where community members can be real forces of change for their friends and neighbors and for the world at large.

On the other hand, all of the problems visited upon larger metropolitan areas come to roost here. Increasing incidences of crime, homelessness, traffic issues and a rising cost of living all become part and parcel of the life we share in a burgeoning municipality.

One of the growing problems in our state, according to a brand new study from WalletHub, is gambling addiction. South Dakota came in at a worrisome number two position, when compared to the rest of the 50 states in the country.

Gambling addiction affects around 2 percent of the adults in the U.S. and that 2 percent loses approximately 100 billion dollars a year. Compulsive gambling costs this country 6 billion dollars a year and societal costs can be even higher. Compulsive gamblers on whole, don't have the resources to pay back debts they amass which can then lead to health issues, job loss and crime.

The two key measurements WalletHub studied for this report included Gambling Friendliness and Gambling Problem and Treatment for each state. Data used for these dimensions was gathered from the U.S. Census Bureau, the American Gaming Association, the FBI, and the National Council on Problem Gambling, among others.

The statistics related information like, the number of gaming machines per 1,000 people, lottery sales per capita, number of commercial and tribal casinos per 100,000 population, the number of gambling related arrests, the presence of gambling addiction treatment programs and more.

This obviously isn't a situation our state aspired to, nor expected, but it is mind-blowing to know that we came in second only to Nevada, a state known primarily as the gambling hub of the universe.

You can read WalletHub's complete report here.

Source: WalletHub

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