New Proposal Would Create Nevada Lottery

 

A bill proposing an amendment to the Nevada Constitution could introduce a lottery system to The Silver State. Despite being one of the few states, along with Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Utah, that has never had a lottery, Nevada may see changes soon.

Assemblyman Cameron C.H. Miller, D-North Las Vegas, has proposed a change that would allow Nevadans to purchase scratch tickets or participate in Powerball or Mega Millions without having to travel to California or Arizona. The goal of this proposal is to fund youth mental health services in the state through a lottery.

Miller wants to keep lottery money in Nevada

Nevada holds the title as the premier gambling hotspot in the US. Every year, millions of individuals are drawn to the state to participate in games at one of its numerous casinos. Online gambling and sports betting likewise enjoy a high level of popularity. Interestingly, a lottery system has never been successfully established in the state.

A Nevada lottery would undoubtedly change the spending habits and preferences of residents and tourists regarding their recreational income. This is presumably the key reason why Nevada doesn’t currently have a lottery.

Democrats in the Assembly have issued a statement detailing their arguments supporting the lottery proposal.

Every year, Nevada loses millions of dollars in potential revenue due to the ban on lottery. These funds could be used for investing in the state’s residents. If this ban is repealed, it would not only return money to Nevada but also increase funds for youth mental health programs.

In 2022, an analysis of numerous mental health services studies was conducted by UNLV. The results showed that Nevada had the worst ranking for mental health care in the US and came in 39th for access to mental health care services.

Miller aims to improve those dismal figures with his proposal.

In recent years, the importance of mental health care has been significantly highlighted, and it’s clear that our existing infrastructure is grossly insufficient. This proposed constitutional amendment, which allows a lottery and uses the generated revenue for youth mental health funding, is a pragmatic approach to assist the numerous youth in Nevada struggling with mental health issues, as I did during my childhood. Presently, we are transferring millions of dollars to neighboring states. It’s high time we fully invest in our Nevadans by passing this constitutional amendment.

Why Nevada doesn’t have a lottery

The Nevada Constitution, ratified in 1864, has made lotteries illegal in the state. Despite numerous attempts over the years to alter this, none have been successful.

As previously mentioned, Nevada does not provide a lottery due to the numerous gambling options already available in the state. Over 400 casinos are present in Nevada. Furthermore, gambling facilities can be found in retail stores like gas stations, supermarkets, and taverns throughout the state.

In the past, many lawmakers believed that the widespread presence of gambling in Nevada should meet the gambling desires of its residents. However, this is not entirely accurate as thousands of Nevada residents travel to California and Arizona to participate in the Powerball or Mega Millions when the jackpot is substantial.

Casino operators in Nevada persist in their opposition to a lottery. They argue that such a move would damage their businesses, leading to job losses and a reduction in tax revenue for the state.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board reported that casinos in Nevada generated $14.8 billion from gambling revenue in 2022.

It would be years before a lottery could launch in Nevada

Don’t rush to buy a lottery ticket at your nearby convenience store anytime soon.

The proposal, which aims to amend the Nevada Constitution, requires approval from two consecutive sessions of the Nevada Legislature. Hence, the earliest the lottery could receive approval would be 2026.