Montana holds the top spot for poker players, according to a recent review
A new study has shaken up the long-held belief that Las Vegas reigns supreme as the poker capital of the US. According to data published by Gambling.com, Montana now holds the title, based on the number of poker rooms relative to its population.
The report was released just as the 2025 World Series of Poker wrapped up, adding extra relevance to the findings. Montana, often better known for its wide-open spaces and rugged landscapes, leads the nation with 2.11 poker rooms per 100,000 residents. That figure is based on the state’s 24 poker venues serving a population of just over 1.1 million.
Nevada, despite being home to Las Vegas, came in second with 1.13 poker rooms per 100,000 people. The state has a total of 37 poker rooms, serving approximately 3.2 million residents. While Las Vegas is still the most iconic destination for high-stakes poker, the study focused on per capita figures rather than overall volume, shifting the spotlight to lesser-known states.
New Hampshire claimed third place with 0.99 poker rooms per 100,000 residents, followed by Wyoming and Washington in fourth and fifth, respectively. Wyoming’s small population gave it an edge despite having only three poker rooms in the entire state.
Texas, often mentioned in discussions about poker’s cultural roots, has the most poker rooms overall—84 in total. However, its large population of over 31 million pushed it down to ninth on a per capita basis.
Larger states like California and New York performed poorly in the rankings. California, with 60 poker rooms, tied for 15th, while New York, with just five venues, landed near the bottom in 36th place.
This data highlights that while Nevada may remain the heart of poker’s image, Montana is now the most poker-dense state in America.
