Maybe you saw a news segment about a man from Michigan winning a Mega Millions drawing. Or maybe you’ve heard about friends in California playing scratch-off games. And you’ve dreamt about a chance to turn one little $2 ticket into a life on easy street. But Silver State residents are out of luck on the lotto front: there is no state-sanctioned lottery here. Here is a quick introduction to lotteries laws in Nevada.
Lotteries Laws in Nevada
All but six states have a state-run lottery, and Nevada is one of the six. The others are Bible Belt states Alabama and Mississippi, regional outliers Alaska and Hawaii, and eastern neighbors Utah. Although it may seem odd to allow so much gambling and gaming while outlawing a state lottery, Nevada’s state constitution is clear: “no lottery may be authorized by this State, nor may lottery tickets be sold.†While it is not illegal for Nevada residents to purchase tickets for out-of-state lotteries, the sale of lottery tickets from other states is prohibited within state lines. Nevada’s state lotteries prohibition is listed in the table below.
| Code Section | Prohibited Nevada Constitution Article 4 §24: Lotteries |
| Distribution of Lottery Revenue | - |
| Additional Purpose of Lottery | - |
| Lottery Prize Subject to Garnishment | - |
| Time Limit to Claim Prize/Disposition | - |
| Prohibited Related Activities | - |
Lotteries Laws, Generally
State lottery laws (in the states that allow a government-sanctioned lottery) regulate everything from where, how, and to whom tickets can be sold, to how long a winner has to claim a prize and which state-funded programs will receive lottery revenues. The majority of states allocate their lottery proceeds to a general fund, and from there the lottery revenue is earmarked for specific projects like transportation infrastructure projects, public education initiatives, or environmental protections. States are permitted to participate in national lottery pools, like Mega Millions and Powerball, and multi-state contests like Monopoly Millionaire’s Club along with their own state-specific lottery games.
Related Resources for Nevada State Lotteries Laws
Even in the states that have them, lotteries laws can vary. And the line between illegal lotteries and legal gaming and gambling isn’t always the easiest to understand. You can consult with a Nevada gaming law attorney in your area if you would like legal assistance regarding a lottery or gambling law matter. You can also visit FindLaw’s section on Gaming Law for additional articles and information on this topic.
