The bill pitted the Nevada Resort Association (NRA) and the Culinary Union, two pillars of the state’s gaming industry, against each other. The Culinary Union supported the bill because some revenue was supposedly earmarked for youth mental health programmes, although that was not explicitly laid out in its language. Conversely, the NRA has always opposed lotteries because of the potential to cannibalise revenue from casinos.

“It’s irresponsible that Democratic leadership in the Nevada Legislature refused to even give AJR5 a hearing — killing legislation they supported last session and denying Nevadans the opportunity to have their voices heard,” Culinary’s Secretary-Treasure Ted Pappageorge said in a statement. “With federal cuts looming, uncertainty around the state budget, and lack of funding for education and mental health, Nevadans need real solutions and we need it now. Politicians cannot complain about budget shortfalls while refusing to even consider a bill that would bring in new revenue.”