LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Las Vegas residents are contemplating the potential convenience of purchasing lottery tickets online, as current state laws prohibit the sale of physical lottery tickets within Nevada.
Dezmond Walker, a local resident who drove out to California to play, expressed his desire to buy a ticket from the comfort of his home, saying, “I guess, yeah. That would be cool.” However, the legality of online lottery sales remains uncertain.
Ron Zambrano, a partner at West Coast Trial Lawyers, explained, “It is unclear. Right now, there is no guidance on that.” He noted that while the Nevada Constitution prohibits physical ticket sales, the approach to online purchases is yet to be determined. “It depends how the Nevada government or regulators are going to view buying online tickets in Nevada,” Zambrano said.
Some residents in the line on the California border, like German Navarro, have reservations about online lottery sales. “I think it is a little risky because you do not know who has access to your phones and then minors can get involved,” Navarro said. He prefers the traditional method of purchasing tickets in person, but wishes it was in Nevada to save a drive to California.
As the debate continues, lottery hopefuls like Sithari Ly and Ernie Badillo have plans for their potential winnings. Ly, visiting Nevada from Long Beach, intends to support her home country of Cambodia by building schools and hospitals. Badillo, a colon cancer survivor, plans to contribute to childhood cancer research, saying, “You get to enjoy life more after you survive because you appreciate life more.”
Meanwhile, local residents Navarro and Josh Samoy plan to share their winnings with family and friends. “It is going to be for me, my friends, my loved ones and charity work for sure,” Navarro said. Samoy added, “I have a bunch of family out in the Philippines so I will probably send some money there.”…