Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline

History Highlights: Gambling in Oregon

Oregon is one of the top states in gambling revenue, and among the leaders in types of legal gambling available.

Recent history of legal gambling in Oregon

1984 Oregon voters authorize a state-run Lottery. The Lottery begins with scratch tickets in 1985.

1989 Oregon becomes the only state that offers state-operated sports betting with the Sports Action lottery.

1991 Oregon becomes the first state lottery to offer Keno games every five minutes.

1992 Video Lottery is legalized. As of October 2004, 10,238 Lottery-operated video poker machines in more than 2,000 bars and taverns across the state.

1994 First Native American casino in Oregon opens (nine open as of 2005). Tribal casinos made possible by passage of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

2003 Monday Night Football scratch-it tickets begin. Lottery Commission approves Three-Way Action Poker. Expansion of video lottery from five to six terminals per retailer. Introduction of 10 video lottery terminals in pari-mutuel establishments.

2004 Keno offered every four minutes. Lottery Click&Play computerized game implemented.

2005 Lottery implements video slot machines. 2006 Lottery exceeds $1 billion in biennial revenues.

2007 Lottery offers gadget for Windows®Vista™ which relays the winning numbers, winner stories, Lottery alerts, jackpot alerts, and the Oregon Amber Alert.