The great writer Bill Bryson once argued that the US was, when you looked closely, a collection of 50 very different countries in the guise of one country. Certainly, people in different states will all like to do different things, and that diversity includes gaming.
Whether it’s how Alabamians’ love for the squared circle is reflected by their video game choices, how Wyomingites pick an updated version of one of the world’s oldest board games, or online gambling in Montana, which attracts people from the Last Best Place thanks to streamlined sign-up procedures, speedy payouts, and generous bonuses. Here, we are going to look at all the states and see what their favorite games are.
Key Takeaways
Minecraft emerged as America’s most popular video game, topping the charts in 16 states, while poker overwhelmingly dominated casino preferences, being the favorite in 42 out of 50 states.
Different regions showed distinct gaming personalities – Southern states gravitated toward WWE games and slot machines, while states like California and Connecticut preferred Nintendo titles like Zelda.
Despite the digital age, traditional tabletop games remain popular across America, with Monopoly leading in 8 states and unique choices like Mancala in Wyoming showing the enduring appeal of physical gaming.
The data reveals surprising commonalities across diverse states – both urban New York and rural Texas share The Last of Us as their favorite video game, demonstrating that gaming preferences often transcend geographical and cultural divides.
Table of Contents
Alabama
The American South has always been fertile ground for professional wrestling, and Alabama’s video game of choice, WWE 2K22, somewhat fittingly for the home of such icons as “Sensational” Sherri Martel and the Midnight Express. When it comes to a family tabletop game night, Hungry Hungry Hippos is the pick, and in terms of gambling, more people in the Yellowhammer State searched for slots than anything else.
Alaska
The Last Frontier’s games of choice are pretty diverse. People who like video games tend to pick Minecraft, while Boggle is a somewhat unexpected choice in the world of physical, in-person games. Meanwhile, the state appears to love poker, with it dominating search results where online gambling is barred.
Arizona
Arizonans appear to be not-so-secret Potterheads, with Hogwarts Legacy topping the gaming charts in the Grand Canyon state. People in the state also like to get people together for a game of Monopoly, while, again, poker is Arizona’s favorite casino-related game.
Arkansas
Residents in the Natural State are another group of people who can’t get enough of Minecraft, the most popular video game in Arkansas. Meanwhile, the word association card game Codenames is another top choice, while, in a state with comparatively liberal gambling laws, slot machines are the number one casino-style pick.
California
California is the Union’s most populous state, and it looks like its residents love their Nintendo Switches, because The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the Golden State’s most popular game. Meanwhile, Californians were another set of people whose favourite tabletop game was Monopoly, and poker was the most searched-for casino game.
Colorado
The Centennial State’s video gamers are clearly into some post-apocalyptia, because The Last of Us was Colorado’s game of choice. Family gamers are more likely to try out a round of Scrabble, while, in terms of casino games, poker was the number one pick.
Connecticut
Connecticut may be a long way from California, but the two states share the same top video game in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Constitution State likes to relax with a game of chess, which Chad from Unfinished Man describes as a very inclusive pastime, and, in a state where online casinos are legal, residents take a keen interest in poker.
Delaware
The First State’s gamers are clearly into their action RPGs, because Diablo IV is Delaware’s favorite video game. People who prefer a more tabletop method of gaming are likely to break out the Monopoly. And, in a state with some of the most permissive gambling laws in the country, people are more than happy to enjoy a hand or two of poker.
Florida
While Florida Man (and Woman!) has a reputation for wildness, his (or her!) video gaming tastes are a little more conservative, with Minecraft the Sunshine State’s game of choice. Over the table, Floridians are big fans of checkers, while, in a state that allows both tribal and online casinos, poker is the preferred gambling game.
Georgia
The Peach State is another area dominated by Minecraft players, and Georgians love both checkers and Monopoly, too. Despite stringent gambling regulations, people in Georgia like poker.
Hawaii
Hawaiians are another group of people who love The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, while people in the Pacific play a notable amount of backgammon. The Aloha State might have some of the strictest gambling laws in the country, but it has a lot of people who search online for poker.
Idaho
The Gem State is yet another state where Minecraft holds sway and Idahoans also like Settlers of Catan. With Tribal Gaming legal in the state, Idahoans are also big fans of poker.
Illinois
The Land of Lincoln loves The Last of Us, with it topping the state’s video gaming charts. Meanwhile, Illinois families love to gather around the table for a game of Mall Madness. In a state with very liberal gambling laws, poker is the most popular casino game.
Indiana
Hoosiers are another set of people who are into their action RPGs, with Diablo IV coming top of the state’s video games lists. They are another state where Monopoly is the best pick for tabletop action, while poker seems to be most popular with casino-goers.
Iowa
People in the Hawkeye State are yet another group of Minecraft enthusiasts, but their fondness for Chinese checkers is a little different. When it comes to the state’s many gambling options, Iowans revert to America’s most popular pick, poker.
Kansas
Kansas was once known as the Wheat State, and, fittingly, they have the most whitebread favorite video game with Minecraft. Kansans also like Pictionary, while they split their casino gaming between poker and slots.
Kentucky
The Bluegrass State is another place where The Last of Us reigns supreme, and it’s somewhere else where people prefer Chinese checkers for an in-person experience. Yet again, poker is the top casino pick, just edging out slot machines.
Louisiana
The Pelican state is a place where people like their Nintendo Switches, as the popularity of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom demonstrates. In terms of in-person, they like Codenames, while Louisiana’s relaxed gambling laws lead its residents to take an interest in slot machines.
Maine
The Pine Tree State is another big place for The Last of Us and Scrabble. Meanwhile, gamblers in Maine tend to pick poker as their casino game of choice.
Maryland
Gamers in Maryland feel the force because Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the Old Line State’s favorite video game. The state’s favorite tabletop game, Hungry Hungry Hippos, is also a bit unusual, but casino gamers can be trusted to pick poker over anything else.
Massachusetts
The Bay State’s residents enjoy the 2023 remaster of Resident Evil 4 and get together to play Mall Madness. When the people of Massachusetts go to the casino, they prefer to play poker.
Michigan
People in Michigan love to go wizarding and play Hogwarts Legacy, and they also enjoy a round of Mall Madness. Poker is the most popular casino game in the Great Lakes State.
Minnesota
Minnesotans like to kick back and go semi-retro with the 2024 remake of Resident Evil 4, and they are rather fond of Shoots and Ladders. In terms of gambling, people in the Land of 10,000 Lakes choose poker.
Mississippi
The Magnolia State’s video gamers go a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away when they play Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, while over the table, people like Codenames. In terms of casinos, Mississippi’s gamblers love slot machines.
Missouri
The Show-Me State is into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and poker.
Montana
Big Sky Country loves Harry Potter, putting Hogwarts Legacy at the top of its gaming lists. At home, people play Clue. Montana residents who want to go to a casino would rather play poker than anything else.
Nebraska
Cornhusker State gamers opt for Hogwarts Legacy, but their pick of Blokus, where they can follow tips like moving out as soon as possible and thinking like a builder, is somewhat unusual. At the casino, though, they’ll go for poker.
Nevada
People in the Silver State relax by playing Diablo IV and Monopoly. When it comes to a state where 37 per cent of GDP is based on gambling, poker is the casino game for Nevadans.
New Hampshire
In the Granite State, The Last of Us seems a popular video game choice for a place whose motto is “Live Free or Die”. Around the table, New Hampshire likes to play Backgammon, while poker reigns supreme in casino play.
New Jersey
People in the Garden State plump for Diablo IV and, appropriately, Monopoly. The home of Atlantic City is also home to people who prefer poker.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, Minecraft, a game Chad from Unfinished Man said took place in a world where “things never become boring,” is the favorite video game, and Backgammon is the tabletop connoisseur’s choice. Land of Enchantment residents prefer slot machines in casinos.
New York
New Yorkers tend to go for The Last of Us when it comes to video games and Monopoly at the table. Meanwhile, Empire State gamblers like to play poker.
North Carolina
The Tar Heel state has more people who play Elden Ring than any other game, and people in NC play Hungry Hungry Hippos. At the casino, North Carolinians play poker.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, Minecraft is the most popular video game, Ticket To Ride is the top tabletop game, and poker is the preferred casino option.
Ohio
The Buckeye State’s video gamers play a lot of Diabolo IV, while in-person gaming is dominated by Apples To Apples. On the other hand, Ohio casino gamblers opt for poker as their favorite gambling game.
Oklahoma
In the Sooner State, The Last Of Us, Dungeons & Dragons, and slot machines are the preferred video, tabletop, and casino games, respectively.
Oregon
Oregonians plump for Minecraft as their video game, Dungeons & Dragons as their tabletop game, and slots as their casino game.
Pennsylvania
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the Keystone State’s favorite video game, and Pennsylvanians also enjoy Don’t Break the Ice and poker.
Rhode Island
The Ocean State is home to fans of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Parcheesi, and poker.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, the Palmetto State’s residents like to play Minecraft, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and poker.
South Dakota
Up in the Mount Rushmore State, people play Minecraft, Axis and Allies, and poker.
Tennessee
The Volunteer State’s residents are fans of The Last of Us, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and poker.
Texas
In the Lone Star state, people’s preferred games are The Last of Us, Monopoly, and poker.
Utah
Minecraft is Utah’s favorite video game, Dungeons & Dragons is the state’s favorite tabletop game, and poker is the preferred casino game.
Vermont
The Green Mountain State is home to Elden Ring, chess, and poker players.
Virginia
In Virginia, people like The Last of Us, chess, and poker.
Washington
Up in the Pacific Northwest, residents of the Evergreen State play Hogwarts Legacy, Dungeons & Dragons, and poker.
West Virginia
The Mountain State is home to players of Minecraft, Battleship, and poker.
Wisconsin
The Midwestern Badger State’s population’s enthusiasm isn’t just about cheese. Wisconsin is home to fans of Minecraft, Trouble, and Poker.
Wyoming
Finally, the Western state of Wyoming’s video gamers love to play Elden Ring, its tabletop gamers prefer Mancala, and its casino fans like poker.
So there you have it. Fifty different states, but there’s variety to each of their gaming choices.
People Always Ask
What is the most popular video game by state?
The most popular video game by state is Minecraft, which was the top choice of 16 states. The Last of Us came second, picking up 10 different states.
What is the most popular tabletop game by state?
The most popular tabletop game by state is Monopoly, where eight states had it as the most successful game. Second place went to Hungry Hungry Hippos, which came top in six states.
What is the most popular casino game by state?
Poker is, quite comfortably, the most popular casino game in America. A total of 42 out of 50 states went for it as their gambling choice, with the remaining eight choosing slot machines.
