Nevada lets state lottery bill die two years after approving it – Washington Examiner
The Nevada legislature has allowed a bill to create a statewide lottery to expire, just two years after it was initially approved. The deadline for bills to progress out of their first committee passed without any advancement for many proposed measures, including the lottery.Despite the state’s strong gaming industry and ancient resistance to a lottery, which is banned under Nevada’s constitution, support for a statewide lottery remains high among residents. A recent poll indicated that 84% of Nevadans favor a lottery, with proposed revenue aimed at funding mental health services. The casino industry, a major employer in Las Vegas, has long opposed the lottery, asserting that it could negatively impact their business, which has generated record revenues. Should the lottery bill have succeeded, it would have required further approval from the state legislature before being put to a public vote. As it stands, Nevada continues to be one of only five states without a statewide lottery.
Nevada legislature lets state lottery bill die two years after approving the measure
Two years after approving a measure to allow a statewide lottery, lawmakers in Nevada let the bill die once again.
The deadline for bills to pass out of their first committee in the Nevada legislature, which comes before they can be voted upon by the full body of lawmakers, passed Friday. Many bills, including one that moved to legalize a statewide lottery, did not make it past the deadline.
Despite being known for its gaming and casinos, a statewide lottery is banned in Nevada’s 159-year-old constitution.
Since 1975, there have been 30 failed attempts at amending the state’s constitution to enact the lottery. The 2023 effort was the first time since 1899 that state lawmakers managed to pass a lottery bill. Similar to in 1901, the 2025 effort failed in that year’s legislative session.
The casino industry, which is the largest employer in Las Vegas, has long lobbied against a statewide lottery due to fear it would impact its business. Leaders in the gaming industry have said a lottery is not needed for revenue as the casino industry brings billions to the state each year. In 2024, the casino industry recorded a record $15.6 billion in revenue.
Should it have become law, revenue from the lottery would have funded mental health services in the state. The bill’s lead sponsor, Assemblyman C.H. Miller, a Democrat, did not seek reelection last year.
To amend the Nevada state constitution, a measure must be twice-approved by the state legislature and then sent to voters to approve or reject on the ballot. In this case, had the legislature again advanced the 2023 text, the measure would have been put on a ballot for a statewide vote with the earliest estimate placing the vote on a 2027 ballot.
While the issue has never made it to a statewide ballot, a statewide lottery appears popular among Nevadans. According to a poll from the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which supported the statewide lottery push, 84% of Nevada voters were supportive of the measure and also supported using the revenue to fund mental health services.
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Nevada loses out on millions in sales to neighboring states. A lotto store in the California-Nevada border town of Primm, 30 minutes south of Las Vegas with a population of 1,000, sold $13 million worth of lottery tickets in 2009 alone, according to a 2016 report. The road that divides the two states is even called “Lotto Store Road.”
For now, Nevada will remain one of five states that do not allow a statewide lottery.
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