01/09/2009, Casino
The state of Oregon is hoping that the new slot machines will increase the state's revenues.
The Oregon Lottery added over 400 new slot-type games in bars and taverns all over the state, hoping to boost the interest of the players.
"We're really hopeful that we can bring some players back and encourage others to play more", said Dale Penn, the Lottery Director.
This is a new initiative which was taken in order to increase the state's revenues because Oregon was hit by the economic recession.
The state intend to install over 2000 such new slot machines and to collect taxes and licensing fees.
Oregon is currently hosts scratch tickets, raffles, lotteries and all players of legal age can enjoy the games.
The Lottery officials claim that even the smoking ban, which went into effect in January, determined the decrease in gambling revenues.
This ban affected the lottery by sending the players to the tribal casinos where they are allowed to smoke while playing gambling games.
The officials hope that the new video terminals, will bring the players back to the lottery establishments. The new slots cost nearly $30 million.
The Oregon Lottery is a very important source of cash for the state, by generating more than $1 billion for schools, parks or other programs.
The Lottery was adopted in 1984 and it was an important source of cash for the state, by generating more than $1 billion for schools, parks or other programs since then.