The State Lottery Building in Salem houses the central offices of the Oregon State Lottery. (Oregon State Archives Scenic Images collection)
Present Duties
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.
Agency Website
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 12649, Salem 97309
Physical Address:
500 Airport Rd SE, Salem, OR 97301
Telephone: 503-540-1000; Toll-free: 800-766-6789
General Email:
lottery.webcenter@lottery.oregon.gov
Contact:
Michael Wells, Director
Administrative Rules Coordinator:
See Contact List for Lottery
Legal & Legislative Information
Statutory Authority: ORS Chapter
461.100