Oregon
dependence on
gambling revenue
increases
December 3
After the Oregon
Lottery was
initially approved
by voters two
decades ago, it was
a simple scratch-off
ticket operation
that produced
approximately $30
million a year for
the state.
Since 1984, the
lottery has
ballooned into a
$400 million a year
cash-cow, mostly
accredited moves
made by the state's
lawmakers to produce
more money from the
lottery. One such
profitable change
came in 1992, when
the state introduced
video poker games.
The video poker
games have proven
year after year to
be a huge money
maker.
Currently,
Oregon's Governor,
Ted Kulongoski, is
asking for another
addition be made to
the lottery. By
adding slot style
machines, the
state will generate
millions more in
revenue each year
and the state will
depend on that
income as well.
Kulongoski
approximates that
the new games will
generate $120
million more in
lottery profit in
the 2005-2007 budget
period to keep the
state's police force
operating as it
currently does.
The new move by
the governor irks
critics, mostly
religious groups,
who say the state
should not approve
new gambling
endeavors as a means
to raise the money
needed to balance
Oregon's state
budget.
All agree that
the new income will
be easy to make.
However, critics of
the issue, are
concerned with
social consequences
this might cause.
