New bill would allow for creation of lottery in casino-dominated state
By Kate Northrop
Nevada lawmakers are discussing a bill that would allow for the creation of a state lottery.
A new bill was formally introduced to Nevada Legislature on Tuesday that would give the state the ability to create and regulate "modern lotteries."
The bill, AJR 5, states that that the Nevada Constitution prohibited the state from authorizing a lottery and the sale of lottery tickets in 1864 to "protect the public from harm" caused by lotteries "plagued by fraud, corruption, mismanagement and abuse because they were largely unregulated by state governments."
In 1990, Nevada's voters approved constitutional amendments that allowed for the operation and regulation of charitable lotteries conducted by nonprofit organizations in the form of raffles or drawings, as long as they are operated "honestly and free from criminal and corruptive elements" and that the proceeds from those lotteries benefit charitable or nonprofit organizations in the state.
AJR 5 will enable the Legislature to enact a government-regulated state lottery and prevent any other person, organization, or entity to operate a lottery or sell lottery tickets. An existing provision would still allow charitable groups to run their own lotteries.
Some lawmakers argue that Nevada residents are traveling across state borders to play the lottery as it is, and that it would be in the state's interest to keep those dollars within its own jurisdiction.
"Nevadans are already playing the lottery in a very significant way, putting lots of money into the good and worthy programs that support youth in other states," Assemblyman CH Miller, the co-sponsor of the bill, said.
Labor unions have also announced their support for a state lottery because it would garner more funding for additional resources. One union in particular, the Culinary Union, had several members come forward during public comment to say that they would be able to expand access to mental health services.
However, the bill is receiving backlash from gaming companies, whose representatives contended that a lottery doesn't have the same structure as other gaming operators to create a positive economic impact beyond collecting revenue for the state. Nick Vassiliades, speaking on behalf of the Nevada Resort Association, also pointed out that there is no language in the bill that specifically mentions funding for mental health.
"I think that the importance of our brick-and-mortar establishments can never be over-valued," Vassiliades asserted. "Those are construction jobs. Those are service and maintenance jobs. Those are operation jobs. There are support industries that pop up all around these cities to support directly gaming, tourism [and] hospitality, but also the support industries that popped up just to meet the demand of cities that rapidly grew around an industry that is first in the world."
If passed in the current legislative session, the bill will have to pass in an additional legislative session in 2025 and then be ratified by voters in order for it to become law.
Might as well Nevada, those casinos are not going to lose any money, both lottery and casinos will benefit the state.
* Exactly.
I would hope that they would highly consider which games to offer and maybe leave Keno to the Casinos.
Nevada certainly should allow every and all multi state games to be sold there.
It will be interesting to see what they finally do offer but, as I said, I hope the Nevada lottery stays away from Keno.
However, the bill is receiving backlash from gaming companies, whose representatives contended that a lottery doesn't have the same structure as other gaming operators to create a positive economic impact beyond collecting revenue for the state.
Disingenous bulls**t. Everyone knows lottery products increase C-store sales. People walk in thinking they'll just get some lotto tickets and they exit with their tickets plus some snacks and TP.
"One upon a time", i.e. a fairy tale.
Before Primm opened on the border of both states people from southern Nevada drove to a small railroad stop in Califofnis ro play lotto.
Word got out and it became more popular ro do so. The some people for thje 'brilliant' idea of being runners and letting others know they'd be going and headed there with steno books full if numbers people wanted to play, for a nominal fee of course.
To paraphraae Planer of the Apes,
'And then one day Also said no' but in this case Aldo was a coupld of agents from the Nevada Gaming Commission who showed up and confiscared the steno pads from a couple of 'runners'.
Info on the little railroad town;
California tickets sales prior to Primm | Lottery Post
Online way to go
I sure hope Nevada includes the daily games and not just some 5/39 type of Lottery. Now is the "perfect" timing with all the Chicagoans and Californians moving there driving up cost...$1 and a Dream.
Nevada getting sick of seeing all the Nevada money leave the state and filling California coffers when PB/MM are massive jackpots.
In Biloxi, MS three weeks ago. One store sold lotto outside of Harrah's Casino and also a lotto machine feet from the entrance.
Played inside Twin River Casino, RI second floor.
Machine outside Plainridge Casino.
Two stores in Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun (forget which) sold tickets.
Lotto Machine inside Ohio casino.
Lottery available @ a casino on the boardwalk, Atlantic City, but not off the boardwalk.
Years ago had written an actual letter to MGM brand about having lotteries in their casinos to keep folks ON their property. Said they wouldn't.
Won't hold my breath for this to happen in Nevada!
i hope it's better then the tri states lottery,it's so hard to win,i'm about ready to quit it.i've played all over in my 30 yrs. military,etc. and this is hardest to win.
I know Todd is a busy man, so he can just cut and paste whichever of these works for the inevitable follow up article.
Nevada Legislature hears from casino lobbyists opposing a state lottery
Nevada Legislature caves to casino lobbyists opposing a state lottery
Rhode Island Lottery runs much of the Twin River action (the slot and poker machines definitely, I'm not sure about the sportsbook)
The law that created the Massachusetts casinos require the locations to sell lottery tickets, but they don't have to do much more (As far as I know Encore has no Keno monitors. and they only dispense tickets at self-service machines near the entrance. They do cash winners (only up to $599) at the cashiers.)
The casinos are dead wrong.
You don't need to go to a casino to gamble in Nevada. You can just sit at the Las Vegas airport and play while waiting for your plane. Supermarkets, convenience stores, UNLV, restaurant/bars and even the Bunny Ranch Bordello has them. Nevada has 120,000 slot machines.
Good point and noticed that before. Never knew they were in the airports until we went there.
Do feel that maybe the lottery will be a wake-up call for casinos to get behind this? IDK, they appear so greedy to me. So folks in Laughlin, NV will cross the Colorado to play in Bull Head City, AZ (we did--paid an employee well to take us there. Las Vegas to Primm Lotto store and folks in Reno/Tahoe can play in CA. Have zero idea about Wendover, NV where it is, what state it next to so leaving them out of this equation.