The Map of America’s Money Obsessions: From Lottery Dreams to Side Hustles
America has been defined by capitalism – a country where ambition itself is currency and wealth is the clearest measure of success. But there are so many different ways to pursue wealth. Gamblizard examined Google search data across all 50 states to investigate whether those aspirations differ by geography. The analysis shows where the path to ‘making it’ begins – from buying a ticket to the lottery to late-night side hustles and investing in cryptocurrency.
American Dreamers
In some states, the dream is still the same old classic wish for quick wealth.
- Kentucky leads the country for searches like “how to get rich fast.” This is fitting for a state known for two things associated with risk and reward: horse racing and bourbon.
- Oklahoma has the strongest interest in the search “how to meet the rich.” This is not too surprising for an oil-rich state that has experienced multiple boom-and-bust cycles throughout the history of oil, beginning with the boom of early oil barons and continuing with today’s wealth from energy.
- North Dakota focuses on “how to win the lottery,” proving that there is still a great faith in luck. With fewer than a million residents, it feels like a jackpot is around the corner. In North Dakota, you probably know someone who knows a winner.
Side Hustle Nation
Elsewhere, the focus has shifted from luck to grind.
- Missouri takes the lead in inquiries for “how to start a side hustle.” That may be the Midwestern work ethic, or perhaps that’s the influence of the growing creative and small-business community in Kansas City, where art, tech, and hustle meet.
- Louisiana explores “how to start a business with no money.” It’s known for resiliency – think about post-Katrina recovery and a culture of reinvention – so it seems much less a search of desperation and much more a search of resourceful optimism.
- And going north, Minnesota and Washington wonder about “how to start freelancing.” Both of these tech-educated states have healthy startup communities – between Microsoft, Amazon, and a growing remote-work culture, it is easy to see how that has impacted them.
Investors’ Row
Finally, some states rely on a long-term perspective – less chasing, more planning.
- New York and the District of Columbia lead searches for “how to invest.” Not surprising – Wall Street and the nation’s capital are naturally going to breed financially literate citizens. In these centers of power and policy, wealth pursuit is both a personal and institutional endeavor.
- Maryland, on the other hand, is more future-focused with “how to make money on crypto.” The state is home to a highly educated, young workforce, many of whom are working in tech and cybersecurity sectors, so it makes sense that they are looking into the digital finance frontier.
