The Lottery is a state agency governed by the Oregon State Lottery Commission. The agency has about 400 employees.

Under the Oregon State Constitution, the Lottery must generate revenue and be entirely self-funded. State law requires at least 84% of total annual revenues be returned to the public, with at least 50% being returned as prizes and the remainder used for designated public purposes. The remaining 16% of annual revenues are available for administrative expenses. Lottery administrative expenses are currently at just under 4% of revenue.

The Oregon Lottery is a major source of revenue for the state, bringing in nearly $2 billion each biennium. Lottery dollars support public education, economic development, state parks and watershed enhancement, veterans’ services, Outdoor School, problem gambling treatment and prevention, and more.​

Lottery funds are also used to pay debt service on Lottery-backed revenue bonds. The state sells these bonds to fund projects in communities around the state. Lottery-backed bonds are highly rated allowing Oregon to borrow money at competitive rates. As of 2023, the state has $1.3 billion in outstanding Lottery-backed bonds. 

From 1985 to 2024, Lottery players won over $68.5 billion in prizes and Lottery transferred nearly $28 billion to support public programs in Oregon.