A Nevada Assembly panel voted Thursday to back a plan for a lottery in the nation's No. 1 gambling state, despite arguments that it would compete with slot machines and other games of chance.
The Elections, Procedures, Ethics and Constitutional Amendments Committee voted 7-3 to send AJR7, the latest version of a plan that has failed about two dozen times since the 1970s to win legislative approval, to the full Assembly.
"Let the voters decide," said freshman Assemblyman Paul Aizley, D-Las Vegas, chief sponsor of AJR7, which would have to win approval from lawmakers this year and again in 2011 and then go to a public vote.
Critics included representatives of Terrible Herbst Inc. which has slot machines in about 90 service stations, Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming Corp. and the Nevada Tavern Owners Association.
Russell Rowe of Boyd Gaming said a lottery would hurt other aspects of Nevada's gambling industry, adding that lotteries have odds that are so high that they amount to what's been termed "a tax on stupidity."
Tom Clark of the tavern owners' group said the bar owners are struggling as it is because of the poor economy, and "every buck spent on the lottery is a buck not spent in our establishments."
Aizley's plan, which has 22 co-signers including Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, would remove a prohibition against lotteries that's now part of the Nevada Constitution.
When the idea came up during the 2007 session, proponents argued unsuccessfully that a lottery could generate up to $200 million for the state. But lawmakers also got a gambling industry report estimating a lottery would pull in $51 million in profits for the state, but those gains would be offset by a net loss of jobs.
Lotteries are operated in all but eight states now, and experts on such games estimate that Americans spent $57 billion on lottery tickets in 2006 alone-with no more than 2 percent of any of the ticket sales going into any state's coffers. The rest of the money went to pay for prizes and other expenses.
Gambling USA, can't where it would hurt anything, some folks play the
slots
and some play the lottery, which ever still bring MONEY in the
state.
Now Nevada citizens won't have to drive to the NV/CA State borders to buy Lottery tickets.
Will be considered a victory of players over casino interets.
Finally!!!
EddessaKnight
While I'd like to see it happen, I don;t think it will have a chance.
From the OP:
"Let the voters decide," said freshman Assemblyman Paul Aizley,D-Las Vegas, chief sponsor of AJR7, which would have to win approvalfrom lawmakers this year and again in 2011 and then go to a public vote.
Critics included representatives of Terrible Herbst Inc. which hasslot machines in about 90 service stations, Station Casinos, BoydGaming Corp. and the Nevada Tavern Owners Association.
Russell Rowe of Boyd Gaming said a lottery would hurt other aspectsof Nevada's gambling industry, adding that lotteries have odds that areso high that they amount to what's been termed "a tax on stupidity."
That comment about Boyd Gaming Group alone will kill it. When the state closed the Fremont and the Stardust, the Boyds were asked to come in and run them for the state. If I rmember right, at that time, Boyd owned two casinos the California, downtown, and Sam's Town on Boulder Highway. After that they became a "multiple property owner."
In Nevada, quite often, the casino owners tell the poiticians what to do.
Good luck with geting a lottery.
"Good luck with geting a lottery." ~CT
We appreciate the good wishes as it will take a lotta luck to get it through
Is it any shock to anyone but that casino operators are basically the wizard behind the screen & virtually run Vegas - the State is a one wheel town!
Any One Still Wondering Why The Gaaming Estblishment Opposes???
The state line lottery store is the biggest grossing lottery shop in all CA and is owned & opertaed by a gambling corp that opposes the lottery outlet. The convenience store at Primm is operated by Las Vegas-based Herbst Gaming, located just across the California side of the Nevada border at Primm, averages $214,000 a week in lottery ticket sales, almost 67 times what the typical lottery retailer sells in all California!
"Non vitae, sed scholae discimus" Greed makes you stupid. ~Seneca
Writing as a pro-player friendly supporter for Nevada Lottery residents & visitors (no agenda )
Peace, Prosperity & Good Fortune,
EddessaKnight
Well my friend I don't live in Nevada, so can't comment on what goes on there. Never have I been either. But I think casino's just want fat pockets, and the state deservest better. No business can run everything. Casinos are a type of industry, and lotteries another. I say let there be competition. As this is what this country is all about. Keeps everyone in check.
Probably as best said in the article. "Let the voters decide." -
, bc ultimately it's the locals who know best what they want Or would like to have in their state.
LJ, thanks for your commentary contribution-
"Vox populi, vox dei"
~the voice of the the people is the voice of God (& not the casinos)
One additional point, unlike other business', the casinos have paid for a liscence to steal!
Good Fortune's Blessings In All States,,
EddessaKnight