PORTLAND, Ore. — In the 2024 fiscal year, the oregon lottery contributed an additional $947 million to the state, according to an announcement made on tuesday. This marks a $48 million increase in revenue compared to 2023. The lottery also reported $8 million in unclaimed prizes for 2024, which will be returned to the state.
The funds generated from the lottery support state parks, public schools, veteran services, outdoor education, and economic development. These funds come from the sale of lottery games, not tax dollars, and the money is allocated based on decisions made by voters and the state legislature.
In 2024, lottery players received nearly $16 billion in payouts, including a $1.3 billion powerball jackpot won by a portland man who has been battling cancer for eight years.
Around 3,800 retailers in oregon earned a total of $310 million in commissions from the lottery. However, shari’s, a former restaurant chain that closed all its oregon locations in october, reportedly owes the lottery over $900,000 for unpaid bills related to the video lottery machines used in its restaurants.
Since its first ticket sale in 1985, the oregon lottery has raised nearly $15.5 billion for public services, including education, state parks, and veteran support.
For those struggling with gambling addiction, help is available through the oregon problem gambling resource website or by calling 1-877-mylimit for free, confidential assistance.