As lawmakers continue to look for ways to kick-start our sluggish and somehow still backward-looking economy, West Virginians are falling prey to another draining and damaging addiction at a higher rate than in most other states.

WalletHub’s “2026’s Most Gambling-Addicted States” placed West Virginia at sixth overall.

It’s always a shock to come in first in one of these studies or reports, just to come to the understanding that on this one, first is worst. But the Mountain State is No. 1 for lottery sales per capita.

The state is also first for legality of daily fantasy sports and legality of sports gambling; eighth for gaming machines per capita; ninth for the percentage of adults with gambling disorders; 21st for casinos per capita, and 25th for gambling-related arrests per capita.

Sure, there are plenty of “recreational” or “social” gamblers here, and lawmakers will be quick to point out the dangers in interfering in personal decision-making when it comes to how people choose to spend their time and money. They will also, no doubt, lean on the fact that the lottery and casinos in West Virginia rake in more than $1 billion for state government programs.

But, as WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo points out, “Gambling addictions can destroy lives the same way that alcohol and drug addictions can. While some people may be able to enjoy casual gambling from time to time, others need to avoid temptation altogether. People with a gambling addiction may find it helpful to live in states where places to gamble are less prevalent and laws against betting are stricter.”

Just as with smoking and the use of other tobacco products, lawmakers must work harder, then, to support prevention and education efforts — support for problem gamblers that puts in more effort than fine print that says “Gambling problem?”

Otherwise, the gambling industry runs the risk of joining a long list of purported economic development opportunities that turned out not to be “the next big thing,” but “the next big problem.”