SALT LAKE CITY — A new bill has been introduced in the Utah State Legislature that attempts to bring the lottery to the state.
FOX 13 News first reported on the bill back in December, which is a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize the lottery in Utah. House Joint Resolution 24 was formally unveiled on Friday.
Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, is proposing to let voters decide if the lottery should be legalized in the state. She previously told FOX 13 News that Utahns spend upwards of $200 million a year outside the state on lottery tickets; money that could be used to pay for a lot of things here.
The bill appeared to get support from the Speaker of the House.
"It’ll save me some money going to Evanston to buy lotto tickets," House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, told reporters on Friday.
But Senate Republican leadership suggested the lottery bill's odds of passage are not so good.
"I’d probably bet quite a bit of money in Vegas it wouldn’t pass," said Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, of the proposed amendment going before voters.
When asked about the odds of the bill passing the Utah State Senate just to go before voters? Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, replied: "Not very high."
"Go to Vegas," Vickers quipped.
The bill also faces some headwinds from powerful groups off Capitol Hill. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially frowns on gambling in all its forms, including lotteries.
