As thousands of Las Vegans flock across the California state line to get their Powerball tickets; the one question on most people’s lips is, why doesn’t Nevada get on board?
The answer comes directly from the state constitution, which says no lottery may be authorized by the state.
"There had been a lot of scandals, so they said no scandals. When lotteries finally came back in the 1960's we had a pretty strong casino industry and they also said no lotteries," Professor David G. Schwartz, Director of UNLV’s Center for Gambling Research said.
With those rules in place, Nevada residents hoping to cash in on Wednesday’s estimated $700 million Powerball jackpot have to travel at least 45 minutes to the California or Arizona state line to buy their tickets.
Tuesday, thousands of people were motivated to do just that for the slim odds at the life changing jackpot.
Many of those who talked with 13 Action News said they wish they could buy the tickets closer to home, saying it wouldn’t change their gambling habits.
Schwatrz said several attempts to legalize the lottery in the Silver State have failed, but he wouldn’t count anything out long term if people continue flocking to California and Arizona to get their lottery fix.
"So you don't have this really odd spectacle of people leaving Nevada to gamble. It usually doesn't happen,” Schwartz said.
The deadline to buy Powerball tickets for Wednesday’s drawing is 7 pm PST.
