FACT BRIEF

Are lotteries illegal in Nevada?

Saturday, March 4, 2023

By Todd Butterworth

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YES

Since it was ratified in 1864, the Nevada Constitution has prohibited lotteries under Article 4, Section 24. This provision was amended in 1990, clarifying that charities may operate a raffle or drawing for their benefit.

The latest legislative effort to change this law is a 2023 resolution to amend the state constitution to allow a state-operated lottery that will help fund mental health services. This effort may be opposed by the gaming industry, which has expressed concern a lottery will divert revenue from Nevada’s casinos.

Despite having no state lottery, Nevadans still drive to border towns in California and Arizona to purchase tickets. One store south of Las Vegas sells as many as 200,000 tickets on a busy day.

In 1964, New Hampshire became the first state to offer a lottery. Today, only Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah do not offer lottery tickets for sale.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Nevada Legislature Nevada Constitution

KTNV New proposal would use state lottery to fund Nevada mental health services

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Gaming industry opposes a state lottery

KTNV Where you can buy lottery tickets if you live in Nevada

CNN Why these five states don’t sell lottery tickets

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