According to a recent study from BetMGM, Nevada ranks as the top state for casino experience. It comes as no surprise as the Silver State has the longest track record of gambling in the U.S.
However, gamblers could be surprised at the second spot on the list – South Dakota.
Las Vegas has struggled in recent months, dipping in revenue and tourism. But the study shows that Americans still view the gambling hotspot favorably. BetMGM looked at data to see where gamblers have the most options and best gambling environment.
“This is the first time U.S. states have been ranked specifically for player experience based on weighted, experience-focused data,” BetMGM officials said in the study.
Nevada, South Dakota Shines In The Study
The study didn’t look at revenue, tax policy, or number of visitors. Instead, BetMGM ranked states solely based on the experience in the casino for the gambler. BetMGM used data from the American Gaming Association’s new 2025 State of the States report to create an original ranking.
The index evaluates 27 legal land-based casino states across seven factors:
- Smoke-free environments
- Complimentary alcoholic drinks
- Credit availability
- Absence of federal withholding on winnings
- Total number of gaming machines
- Total number of commercial casinos
- Variety of gaming options
Nevada offered plenty of positives. The state has more than 126,000 slot machines, 228 casinos, complimentary alcohol, and available casino credit. The state received thumbs-down for smoke-free environments and withholding policies.
The state’s 228 commercial casinos is more than 11 times greater than the average state. Furthermore, the 126,517 slot machines is more than eight times more the average.
South Dakota legalized casinos in 1988 and topped several other large gaming destinations. The state allows casinos in the city of Deadwood and on federally recognized Native American reservations.
Deadwood offers gamblers an old west feel and a bit of real poker history. Famed lawman, gambler, former Civil War soldier, and actor Wild Bill Hickok was killed while playing poker in a Deadwood saloon in 1869.
The Mount Rushmore State drew accolades in the study for number of smoke-free rooms, complimentary alcohol, and more.
Pennsylvania came in at no. 3. The state has one of the largest U.S. online casino markets and , one of the country’s casino revenue leaders, checked in at third. The state had mixed results on smoke-free casinos, and scored well in other categories.
Here are the top 10 states:
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Delaware
- West Virginia
- Mississippi
- Massachusetts
- Florida
States At The Bottom
Of the 27 states reviewed, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Maine pulled up the rear of the list. The three states are filled with mostly tribal casinos, with limited commercial gambling options.
These states struck out when it came to smoke-free options and complimentary alcohol. They also had limited gambling options inside the casinos, compared to other states on the list.
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