A Voter-Created Lottery
The Oregon Lottery was established in 1985 after voters approved Measure 6 in the November 1984 general election. Oregon was among the first states to create its lottery through a direct ballot initiative rather than legislative action, reflecting strong public support for using gaming revenue to fund public services. The first lottery tickets went on sale in April 1985.
Revenue and Mission
Oregon Lottery revenue supports a diverse set of public programs. Proceeds are dedicated to public education, state parks, natural habitat restoration, economic development, and veterans' services. Since its founding, the Oregon Lottery has transferred billions of dollars to these beneficiary programs, making it one of the most broadly impactful state lottery operations in the country.
Key Milestones
- 1984: Oregon voters approve Measure 6, authorizing the Oregon Lottery
- 1985: First lottery tickets sold in April; Megabucks launches as the flagship draw game
- 1992: Oregon becomes the first state in the nation to offer video lottery terminals, transforming the revenue model
- 1995: Win for Life launches, offering lifetime prize payouts
- 2010: Oregon joins the Powerball consortium through the cross-selling agreement
- 2010: Mega Millions also becomes available to Oregon players
- 2020: Pick 4 introduced as the first daily digit game in Oregon
Video Lottery Pioneer
Oregon holds a unique place in U.S. lottery history as the first state to operate video lottery terminals in 1992. These machines, placed in bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments, became a major revenue driver and sparked national debate about the expansion of lottery gaming. Video lottery remains a significant portion of Oregon Lottery revenue alongside traditional draw games and scratch tickets.
Impact and Legacy
Over more than four decades, the Oregon Lottery has grown from a simple Megabucks drawing into a comprehensive gaming operation spanning draw games, video lottery, scratch-its, and sports betting (Scoreboard). Its broad beneficiary model — funding education, parks, economic development, and veterans — sets it apart from states that dedicate lottery funds to a single cause. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our OR Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Oregon lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.
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