Oregon Lottery Generates $947 Million for the State in FY2024
One of our best sports betting sites, DraftKings, is behind the technology that powers the Scoreboard sports betting operation in Oregon, but that's just a portion of what made for such a strong 2024 fiscal year in the Beaver State.
A press release from the Oregon Lottery has revealed that the company has made more than $947 million for the state this fiscal year after generating $940 million in profits and reporting close to $8 million in unclaimed prizes. The total marks an increase of $48 million compared to the previous fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2023. The 2024 fiscal year ran from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
The money supports various statewide causes, as decided by voters and the legislature, including public schools, veteran services, state parks, and natural habitats.
Mike Wells, the Director of the Oregon Lottery, commented: “Oregonians help support the state programs they care about by playing our games. We continue to celebrate the wins of our players, the retailers who sell our games, and the public programs lifted up by these funds in our communities.”
Commissions also support the 3,800 Lottery retailers across the state, many of whom are small business owners. This fiscal year, retailers earned around $310 million in commissions.
Record-Breaking Wins
During the year, lottery players collected close to $16 billion in winnings, which included thirteen prizes worth $1 million or more. The Lottery says that prizes account for around 92% of the dollars played. Among these, a Portland man, his wife, and their friend collected the largest prize ever won in Oregon after purchasing a winning Powerball ticket worth $1.326 billion in April.
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, 46, has battled cancer and said he “prayed to God” for help. “My kids are young and I’m not that healthy.”
“I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Saephans and Ms. Chao on this historic win,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells earlier this year. “Not only is the prize life-changing for the three of them and their families, it’s also a huge win for the state.”
About the Oregon Lottery
The Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985. Since then, the company has generated nearly $15.5 billion for the state. Since 2016, the lottery has maintained the highest level of responsible gambling accreditation from the National Council of Problem Gambling. It is also one of only eight lotteries in the country to reach the highest level from the World Lottery Association.
The Lottery also administers and regulates Oregon sports betting, which is available online at DraftKings or at two retail sportsbooks. Bettors can choose from the BetMGM Sportsbook at Spirit Mountain Casino or Chinook Winds Sportsbooks at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.
Latest figures reveal that Oregon sports bettors wagered a record-breaking $81.7 million in October 2024. However, with a 7% hold, revenue fell to $5.7 million for the month. Still, the state has generated $76.7 million in gross revenue for the first ten months of 2024, already surpassing the $75.7 million collected in 2023.
Oregon gamblers also have access to casino gaming at nine tribal casinos across the state which are owned and operated by Indian tribes.
