Even though many forms of gambling are already legal, American citizens prefer the lottery over any other kind. An average American spends $230 annually on lottery tickets, so it should cbe no surprise that the lottery is highly popular in some states.
We’ve ranked the top 10 US states from high to low to get a sense of how much Americans love the lottery.
News Highlights
- Gambling and online gambling in the USA are ever-increasing.
- Americans prefer a lottery over other types of gambling.
- The top 10 USA states stats show that the average American spends $230 annually on the lottery.
- 2022 data from the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries
Gambling in the USA
Different types of gambling have been legalized in the US over the past years. In 2018, the US Supreme Court regulated sports betting in most US states.
According to the American Gaming Association, betting revenue generated $60.4 billion in 2022, breaking the 2021 record that was set at $53 billion.
Gambling and Lottery Stats
More than half of Americans have access to gambling now, both land-based and online, so the acceptance level within the culture has been steadily increasing, too.
According to a 2020 poll by Gallup, 71% of US citizens say gambling is morally acceptable, which is the highest level of acceptance for the activity in the last 20 years.
Despite access to all sorts of gambling, Americans are still more comfortable playing the lottery. The average American spends $230 per year on lottery tickets.
Lottery Sales in the United States
Americans love playing the lottery. That much is clear. Have you ever wondered in which states players enjoy it the most?
The top 10 states’ results are based on the information provided by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), a non-profit organization representing 54 North American lotteries.
The NASPL report showed that the overall lottery market in the United States is growing. In the 2022 fiscal year, lottery sales totaled $95.3 billion, up from $90.3 billion in the previous year.
It’s important to note that Utah, Nevada, Mississippi, Hawaii, Alaska, and Alabama do not have a lottery system.
Amount Spent on Lottery per Person per Year
Below is the list of the Top 10 US states where the citizens are playing the lottery the most and the amount spent per person.
New York
$455.93
Massachusetts
$805.30
Rhode Island
$429.88
| Rank | State | Amount Spent per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Georgia | $429.51 |
| 5 | Michigan | $408.51 |
| 6 | South Carolina | $397.11 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $366.63 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $361.00 |
| 9 | Maryland | $354.03 |
| 10 | Florida | $345.25 |
US States with the Highest Revenue in Lottery Sales
According to the NASPL, the top 3 states with the highest revenue in lottery ticket sales in 2022 are New York, California, and Texas.
These states all have large populations and a long history of lottery play. They also offer a variety of lottery games, including multi-state jackpot games, such as Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as in-state games.
The revenue from lottery ticket sales goes to funding programs and services in these states. For example, in New York, lottery revenue supports education, while in California, it supports programs like environmental protection and parks and recreation.
New York – $10.355 Billion
New York lottery ticket sales in 2022 were $10.355 billion, the highest in the United States. This represents a 2.6% increase compared to 2021.
New York lottery sales generate significant revenue for the state. In 2022, the lottery contributed $3.6 billion to the state’s education fund. This revenue is used to support public schools across the state.
California – $8.865 Billion
Coming in second place is California, where lottery ticket sales were $8.865 billion in 2022. That was a 6.6% increase in revenue compared to the previous year.
The launch of new lottery games, such as 200x Scratchers and the $30 Million Cash Spectacular, helped increase sales throughout the year. The state lottery helped generate $2.04 for public schools in California.
Texas – $8.297 Billion
The third highest lottery-selling state in the United States was Texas. The Texas Lottery’s revenue reached $8.287 billion in 2022, 4.6% higher than the previous year.
Like New York and California, Texas lottery sales generate significant funds that help support public education. In 2022, the lottery contributed $3.1 billion to the state’s Foundation School Fund.
Lottery & Education Programs
People across many US states enjoy pressing their luck on the lottery. But more than traditional lottery is on the rise. The popularity of this form of gambling has led many online casinos to offer real money lottery as part of their gaming offer.
In most states, the lottery money goes straight to education programs and student scholarships. These states ensure the funds go to public education and other educational state programs, as well as economic development, natural resources, state parks, and job creation.
Aside from having fun and trying their luck, Americans are investing in their children’s future by purchasing lottery tickets.
Play Responsibly
If you are considering playing the lottery, it is important to remember that there is no guarantee of winning. However, if you do choose to play, please gamble responsibly. Set a budget for how much you are willing to spend and stick to it.
