Kentucky Ranks 7th in U.S. Lottery Spending With $460 Per Resident
Kentucky Residents Spend an Average of $460 on Lottery Tickets
Americans spent a staggering $110.4 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, but some states spent far more than others. Kentucky ranked seventh nationwide, with residents spending an average of $460 per person, according to a study by LendingTree.
That figure is well above the national average of $323 per person.
Kentucky Lottery Spending at a Glance
- National ranking: No. 7
- Average spending per resident: $460
- Total lottery spending: $2.12 billion
- Prize payout rate: 71.5%
Kentucky returned 71.5% of lottery spending to players in prizes, placing it among the states with higher payout rates.
Which States Spend the Most on Lottery Tickets?
Massachusetts topped the list in 2024, with residents spending an average of $904 per person. Virginia followed at $630, while Rhode Island ranked third at $567.
North Carolina and Georgia were the only other states where average spending reached at least $500 per resident.
Here's how the top 10 states ranked:
- Massachusetts — $904
- Virginia — $630
- Rhode Island — $567
- North Carolina — $506
- Georgia — $500
- New York — $472
- Kentucky — $460
- Connecticut — $460
- Michigan — $450
- West Virginia — $430
Where Is Lottery Spending the Lowest?
Not every state spends big on lottery tickets. North Dakota recorded the lowest average spending at just $51 per resident, followed by Wyoming at $69 and Montana at $76.
New Mexico and Oklahoma rounded out the bottom five, with average spending of $84 and $85 per person, respectively.
Experts Warn That Lottery Costs Can Add Up
Matt Schulz, LendingTree's chief consumer finance analyst, pointed out that spending more than $110 billion annually on lottery tickets is remarkable, especially when many Americans are struggling with everyday expenses.
He noted that buying an occasional ticket for fun isn't necessarily a problem. However, making lottery purchases a regular habit can cause costs to pile up faster than people expect.
With Kentucky residents spending significantly more than the national average, the findings highlight just how much Americans are willing to spend chasing a potential jackpot.