A survey conducted by Online Casino Suomi (OCS) asked more than 3,000 participants from all 50 states to respond to five behaviors that were scored to create a total “money-hunger” index for their state. The index compiled the information to form a ranking system to determine which state was the greediest in the nation. Responses were weighted based on the intensity of the behavior. For instance, cheating in a casino was given more weight than simply purchasing a lottery ticket. The final rankings represent the states where residents are most driven by the pursuit of money through risky or secretive means.
OCS
OCS is a website dedicated to helping Finnish players find the best casinos online in Finland. The online resource rates casinos, selecting those with the highest standards to recommend. OCS regularly collects data and vets casinos to guarantee customer satisfaction. The company recently decided to offer this study to determine gambling habits in the United States, to know exactly what to look for, and to determine which of the 50 states is the greediest in terms of gambling. The responses were collected to form a “money-hungry index” to choose the best states to gamble in based on the survey questions.
Index Factors
The five factors making up the index were: buying lottery tickets regularly, hiding winnings from a partner or spouse, traveling to another state specifically to gamble, admitting to breaking or bending rules in a casino, and being willing to bet their last $10. Results were tallied, and the responses were recorded as follows.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania tops the list as the nation’s most money-hungry state. Many residents admitted to buying lottery tickets frequently and being willing to risk their last $10 for a chance at scoring big. Pennsylvania also had one of the highest rates of citizens who say they’d hide significant gambling from their partner or spouse, a strong signal of personal financial ambition, and just maybe, secrecy.
Delaware
Delaware came in at number two on the list because of its high percentage of residents who say they would keep gambling winnings private. While Delaware ranks as the smallest state geographically, its residents appear to harbor big-money dreams and a reluctance to share them.
South Dakota
To the surprise of some, South Dakota ranked third based on multiple risk-based behaviors. Many residents admitted they’d bet their last $10, and a notable number confessed to trying to bend the rules in a casino.
California
California is not just known for tech billionaires and Hollywood. It also has a strong undercurrent of money-driven ambition. Californians ranked high for secrecy and rule-breaking, with many saying they have tried to cheat in a casino.
Virginia
Virginia rounds out the list for its residents expressing a strong willingness to gamble and chase winnings.
The Other End of the Scale
Conversely, Texas ranks as the least money-hungry state in the survey, with its population generally reporting far lower willingness to take gambling risks or hide winnings from loved ones. Despite the state’s large population and proximity to gambling hubs like Louisiana and Oklahoma, Texans seem less likely to participate in impulsive or high-risk financial behaviors.
