LAS VEGAS -- State lawmakers are talking about whether Nevada should have a state lottery. A committee heard a proposal to amend the state constitution to allow for a lottery in the state.
Inside the Grant Sawyer Building, local high school students made their case for the lottery to fund education.
Every time a Mega Millions jackpot gets large, Nevadans find themselves going to California to gamble.
"I would like a state lottery here," said Mario Aguabella. "I think it would benefit the community and state. Especially put some of that money into education, maybe supplement some of the teachers pay with it."
State lawmakers heard testimony from high school students pressing Senate Joint Resolution 1, with future lottery proceeds going towards education. Even if legislators agreed this time, they would have to vote again in 2013, take it to the voters in 2014 and best case scenario would set up a lottery in 2015.
There are 42 lottery states, see a breakdown on their costs and revenue
"This is something that people have advocated for 20 some years now and it hasn't gotten done," said Democratic Majority Leader State Senator Steven Horsford.
The National Conference of State Legislatures say an average of 64 percent of all lottery revenues go to prizes. There's also pressure to pay for even larger prizes to keep lotteries competitive. On average, 31 percent goes to state programs. In some states, taxpayers get an even smaller cut.
The Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada says lottery money meant for education often comes with a catch.
"What happens a lot is that the legislatures see the money coming in from lottery and they simply reduce their allocation to schools," said Launce Rake with PLAN.
Lotteries in states Nevada's size bring in around $100 million each year. Whether it is worth it may continue to be debated for years.
