The majority of states without a lottery are red states. The only reliably blue state without one is Hawaii. Purple Nevada doesn't have one probably because they don't want the competition against the casinos. In every state where there is a lottery, purchasing tickets is voluntary, which isn't the case when it comes to taxes.
According to the article,
“Some 45 states, and the District of Columbia, operate them”
So a majority of the 5 states without them are red states?
Nevada reminds that as you cross from California there is a tiny California Lottery store just on the California side.