Oregon Lottery reported a 2% increase in “sales,” the first increase in three years.
Oregon Lottery reported a 2% increase in “sales,” the first increase in three years.
“It’s reflective of the economy,” said lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann. Lottery trends tend to follow broader economic activity.
Gamblers spent $1.04 billion on video slot machines, Powerball tickets, “scratch-its” and other state lottery offerings in fiscal year 2011, which ended June 30, according to numbers released Tuesday.
That compares with $1.02 billion in 2010, and $1.1 billion in 2009. Of that, a little more than half translates into profit that feeds the state’s revenue stream.
Bob Whelan, a Portland economist with EcoNorthwest who studies the gaming industry, said the increase shows that Oregonians are feeling financially comfortable enough to lay down a few bucks in the hopes of hitting it big.
Read more at OregonLive.com.
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