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Oregon Gambling Expansion Approved

SALEM, Oregon – As reported by the Oregonian: "The Oregon Lottery Commission, approving the biggest expansion of state-sponsored gambling since video poker began in 1992, gave the go-ahead to electronic slot machines Wednesday.

"Gov. Ted Kulongoski now will battle the Legislature over whether the $60 million a year in expected profits will go to state police -- his priority -- or to schools, the first choice of many lawmakers.

"Lottery officials, reacting to concerns that the gambling expansion could help create thousands of additional problem gamblers, promised that the new games would incorporate pathbreaking 'safety' features designed to discourage addictive use.

"The new games won't start appearing in bars, taverns and restaurants across Oregon until July. Before then, the commission will have to decide how big of a cut retailers should get from the electronic games.

"…Assuming the lottery can reach agreement with its retailers on their compensation, the new games will be added to most existing video poker machines. Although loosely based on old-fashioned slot machines, the new games feature rich graphics and storylike animation.

"Dale Penn, the lottery director, said he's sure the new games will generate additional play because they are vastly more popular in casinos than the more staid video poker games the Lottery features…"

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