Eliminate the restriction on selling a lottery ticket through a vending or dispensing device under the State Lottery Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Quick

Nebraska LB 60 would authorize selling lottery tickets through vending or dispensing devices, adding a new distribution channel while keeping on-premises and other existing restric

Passed on Final Reading 41-8-0

Overview

LB 60, introduced by Senator Dan Quick in the 109th Legislature, would authorize the sale of lottery tickets through vending or dispensing devices under the State Lottery Act. The bill is currently on General File.

Bill: LB 60

Title: Eliminate the restriction on selling a lottery ticket through a vending or dispensing device under the State Lottery Act

Introduced: January 9, 2025

Sponsor: Senator Dan Quick (primary)

Status: Placed on General File

Committee: General Affairs

What the bill would do

Change the State Lottery Act to remove the prohibition on selling lottery tickets through a vending or dispensing device.

Preserve the existing requirement that lottery tickets be sold on the premises stated in the contract between the retailer and the lottery.

Keep other restrictions intact (no tickets sold by telephone or mail; no credit extended for ticket purchases).

Repeal the original 9-829 section and replace it with language permitting vending-device sales.

Key provisions (section-by-section sense)

Section 1: Amends 9-829 by striking the prohibition on selling lottery tickets via a vending or dispensing device.

Section 2: Repeals the original section 9-829.

The amended section would still require tickets to be sold on the retailer’s contract-specified premises and would maintain prohibitions on sales by phone, mail, or on extending credit.

Who would be affected

Lottery game retailers: retailers could deploy vending/dispensing devices to sell lottery tickets, providing a new distribution channel.

Nebraska Lottery Commission and Charitable Gaming: regulatory and administrative oversight would adapt to vending-machine sales.

Consumers: access to lottery products through vending machines at participating retailer locations, potentially increasing convenience.

Stakeholders and interest groups (per testimony): mixed views existed, with proponents highlighting retailer staffing and demand considerations, and opponents raising concerns about gambling impacts; neutral testimony cited regulatory oversight.

Procedural history and timeline

January 9, 2025: Introduced (LB 60).

January 13, 2025: Referred to General Affairs Committee.

January 30, 2025: Notice of hearing for February 10, 2025.

February 10, 2025: Committee hearing; General Affairs Committee hearing testimony.

February 26, 2025: Advanced from the General Affairs Committee to General File (final committee action with Ayes listed; no Nays recorded).

Support and opposition (as reflected in committee testimony)

Proponents: Senator Dan Quick; Nathan Brtek; Ansley Fellers; Korby Gilbertson; represented groups including NE Grocery Industry, NE Retail Federation, NE Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores, and Nebraska State Fair Board.

Opponents: Al Riskowski; Glen Andersen; Pat Loontjer; Nate Grasz; represented “ Gambling with the Good Life” and Nebraska Family Alliance.

Neutral: Brian Rockey; Representing Nebraska Lottery Commission and Charitable Gaming.

Potential impact and considerations

Convenience and demand: vending devices could improve accessibility for players and help retailers address staffing and service-demand challenges.

Revenue and compliance: regulatory framework would need to ensure proper operation, security, age controls, and compliance with contract terms.

Market reach: Nebraska would join most other states in offering lottery vending options, potentially expanding ticket sales and beneficiary proceeds.

Bill