In New Mexico, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jason Harper that would stop the New Mexico Lottery’s plans to create a game tied to sports events outcomes. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration. The lottery board has been looking into ways to take advantage of the U.S. Supreme Court’s lifting of the federal ban on sports betting last year.
Harper’s bill also would redirect unclaimed lottery prizes to scholarships instead of back into lottery prizes. He said $2 million to $4 million in lottery prizes go unclaimed each year.
The New Mexico Lottery funds scholarships to help state residents attend public universities and colleges.
