Nevada's $1 Billion Powerball Frenzy Fuels Primm Border Store, State Lottery Remains Elusive

PRIMM, CA/NV – The Powerball jackpot, recently soaring to an estimated $1 billion, has triggered a massive surge in lottery ticket sales, particularly at The Lotto Store located on the California-Nevada state line in Primm. This unique vendor, known for selling more lottery tickets than any other store globally, is experiencing unprecedented demand, driven largely by Nevada residents seeking to participate in the multi-state lottery.

According to the tweet from Trung Phan, The Lotto Store is "printing like mad" during such high-stakes draws, estimated to sell "67x more tickets than the average California lotto vendor." This phenomenon highlights Nevada’s distinct position as one of only five U.S. states without a state lottery, a prohibition enshrined in its constitution since 1864. The store’s strategic location, approximately 40 miles from Las Vegas, allows Nevadans to cross into California to purchase tickets.

The absence of a state lottery in Nevada is primarily due to staunch opposition from the state's powerful casino industry. Nevada's casinos, particularly in Las Vegas, argue that a state-run lottery would directly compete with their operations, potentially diverting revenue and impacting the thousands of jobs and substantial tax contributions they provide. In 2023, the casino industry generated $15.5 billion in revenue, emphasizing its economic significance.

Recent legislative attempts to introduce a state lottery in Nevada have faced consistent roadblocks. Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR5), a prominent effort in 2023 and 2025, aimed to amend the state constitution to allow a lottery, with proponents suggesting revenue could fund youth mental health programs. However, AJR5 failed to advance in the 2025 legislative session, underscoring the enduring influence of the casino lobby and the complex path to constitutional amendment, which requires passage in two successive legislative sessions and a public vote.

Nevada shares its non-lottery status with Utah and Alabama, where religious groups have historically lobbied against lotteries, and Hawaii and Alaska, which lack neighboring states and have opted against state-sponsored games. Despite public opinion polls indicating support for a state lottery among Nevadans, the state continues to see millions of dollars in potential revenue flow across its borders to lottery-selling neighbors like California and Arizona. The ongoing Powerball excitement at The Lotto Store in Primm serves as a vivid illustration of this unique economic dynamic.