by Tara Haywood, YourPace Student Contributor
LAS VEGAS, NV — For many Nevada residents, the pursuit of a soaring lottery
jackpot is about more than money. It is also about the brief mental relief that
comes from imagining a different future — a momentary pause from daily
stress fueled by the idea that anything is possible.
Unlike Maine, where buying a lottery ticket is a routine errand, Nevada
residents must cross state lines to take part in Powerball or Mega Millions
drawings. Nevada is one of only five states without a state lottery, a
distinction that becomes especially noticeable when jackpots climb into the
hundreds of millions of dollars.
For many players, the appeal of the lottery lies less in the odds and more in
the feeling it provides. Buying a ticket can offer a moment of optimism and
agency — a brief mental escape from routine or financial stress. Even when
the chances are slim, the act of imagining a different future can feel
grounding, hopeful, or simply fun.
As prize totals grow, residents regularly travel into California or Arizona,
creating long lines at border convenience stores and funneling millions of
dollars in potential revenue out of Nevada. Border towns benefit not only
from ticket sales but also from increased purchases of fuel, food, and other
items made by travelers willing to wait for a chance at a life-changing win.
Despite Nevada’s reputation as a global gambling hub, efforts to legalize a
lottery have stalled for decades. Any change would require voter approval,
and past proposals have faced opposition, often attributed to concerns from
the casino industry, which has argued a lottery would compete with existing
gaming.
Some residents say that the argument falls flat.
“I don’t understand it,” said Nancy Minnow, who recently traveled about 50
miles to Primm, near the California border, to buy lottery tickets. “They say
the casino industry has been behind attempts to pass the legislation to allow
the lottery. How is that any competition? I’m originally from Michigan, where
we have both — there is no issue. This is ridiculous.”
Primm and other border communities see noticeable spikes in traffic during
major jackpot runs. Lines can stretch for hours as Nevada residents wait to
buy tickets, boosting sales for stores just outside the state.
Minnow said the trip was worth it.
“Because why not?” she said. “Someone has to win.”
For those hoping to avoid congestion along the California border, Arizona
offers another option. In Bullhead City, lottery tickets are sold widely
throughout the area, keeping lines relatively short even during peak jackpot
periods.
“It has never made sense why people will wait in line for five hours when
there’s only one store,” said Joe Brady, a Las Vegas resident who often
advises friends to drive east. “Plus, the gas is much cheaper.”
Until Nevada’s laws change, residents seeking a jackpot will continue to
cross state lines — chasing not only a potential windfall, but also a fleeting
sense of optimism and escape from everyday worries.
