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Nevada is one of just five states in the country without a state lottery, but that would change under a proposal in the works.
Currently, Nevada, Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah all lack a state lottery. Democratic Assemblyman Cameron “C.H.” Miller last week announced that he would introduce a plan to amend the Nevada Constitution to allow for a lottery. Voters would determine its fate.
The state’s casino industry has historically opposed a Nevada Lottery due to the competition for gambling dollars. The proposal’s chances are unclear.
“The last few years have shown us how critical mental health care is and that our current infrastructure is woefully inadequate,” said Miller in a statement. “This constitutional amendment authorizing a lottery and dedicating the revenue to funding for youth mental health is a common sense solution that will help the many Nevada youth who are battling mental health challenges, just like I did as a child.”
“Right now,” he added, “we are sending millions of dollars across the border to neighboring states. It is time to fully invest in Nevadans and pass this constitutional amendment.”
Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageore came out in support of the proposal, calling a lottery “an opportunity to create a long-term funding source directed towards mental health capacity building, without increasing taxes on Nevada residents or businesses.”
“The union,” he continued, “will be launching a campaign to get voters to support the lottery amendment. We look forward to working with Assemblyman Miller on this vital effort. In a state where gaming is the cornerstone of the economy, there is no public policy rationale” for Nevada remaining without a lottery.
Gambling in Nevada has never been bigger.
Nevada’s casinos reported a total gaming win of $1,314,478,876 for the month of December 2022. The revenue was a 14.30% increase compared to December 2021, when licensees reported a gaming win of $1,149,986,166. The performance brought the calendar year 2022 gaming win to $14,842,230,000, up 10.52% over the calendar year 2021.
It was also an all-time high for the Nevada casino industry. Gaming win of $13,429,949,000 in 2021 was the previous record.
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