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AJR 5-82

Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to revise provisions relating to lotteries and the sale of lottery tickets. (BDR C-986)

2025 Regular Session

To authorize state regulation of modern lotteries through law, while keeping charitable lotteries under existing rules and prohibiting local governments from running or selling tic

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AJR 5-82

Summary: Assembly Joint Resolution No. 5 (AJR 5-82)

What the bill aims to do

  • Proposes a Nevada Constitutional amendment to revise provisions relating to lotteries and the sale of lottery tickets.
  • Specifically authorizes the Legislature to provide by law for the operation and regulation of modern lotteries (in addition to existing charitable lotteries), including authorizing the sale of lottery tickets for such modern lotteries.
  • Maintains a prohibition on special charters or similar governing documents granting lottery operations to any entity and bars political subdivisions (local governments) from operating lotteries or selling lottery tickets.
  • Requires charitable lotteries to continue complying with the existing framework established by the 1990 amendments.

Key provisions and changes

  • Legislative authorization for modern lotteries: The amendment would empower the Nevada Legislature to enact laws regulating modern, non-charitable lotteries, including ticket sales.
  • Prohibition on special charters and local government involvement: The Legislature could not grant special charters or similar governing documents to operate lotteries, and local governments could not operate or sell lottery tickets.
  • Continuation of charitable lotteries under current rules: Charitable lotteries would remain subject to the provisions governing charitable lotteries added to the Constitution by the 1990 amendments.
  • Constitutional amendment process: If approved by the 2023 Legislature, the measure would also need approval by the subsequent Legislature and then ratification by Nevada voters in a statewide election to become effective.
  • Rationale and policy background: The attached “whereas” clauses recount historical concerns about chartered lotteries and the public interest in regulation and protection from fraud, drawing on historical cases and constitutional precedent in Nevada and other states.

Who is affected

  • State government: The Legislature would gain explicit authority to regulate modern lotteries via law.
  • Charitable organizations: Charitable lotteries would continue to operate under the existing constitutional framework established in 1990.
  • Local governments: Prohibited from running or selling lottery tickets.
  • General public: If ratified, the state could establish modern lotteries with regulatory oversight intended to protect consumers.

Fiscal and administrative implications

  • Fiscal note (as provided): No anticipated effect on local government or the state budget from the proposed constitutional amendment.
  • Regulatory framework: Any actual operation and regulation of modern lotteries would be determined by future legislation enacted under the amended Constitution.

Procedural timeline and current status

  • Legislative history: Introduced February 3, 2025; referred to the Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections; subsequent action per records.
  • Status: As of April 12, 2025, the measure is “Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.” In effect, the bill is not progressing further in the current session.
  • Constitutional timeline: If advanced, the measure would require passage by the next Legislature and voter ratification in a statewide election to become effective.

Additional context

  • The bill builds on Nevada’s 1990 constitutional amendments that legalized and regulated charitable lotteries, integrating a broader framework for modern lotteries while preserving public protections against unregulated gambling and the use of special charters.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s introduced text and stated intent; current status indicates no further action in the ongoing session.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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