The Oregon State Lottery is a relative youngster having only existed since 1984 when an amendment to the Oregon Constitution was approved by voters. The Lottery began in 1985 and the only ‘drawing’ game offered at the time was Megabucks. Since then there have been many different games introduced some more successful than others.

One that proved very successful for a Jacksonville family was Powerball, the Oregon family won a then record $340 million jackpot in 2005 in that game. However, it wasn’t until 2010 that the Oregon State Lottery added Mega Millions – the richest cross state Lottery game – to its roster of games.

As well as being responsible for approving the Lottery, Oregon voters also vote of the allocation of lottery profits as they approve broad categories of where the Lottery funds get distributed. Since its inception the Lottery as funded economic development, public education and natural resource programs. As of 2013 over $5 billion of lottery proceeds have gone to public education, $2 billion to economic development, $900 million to natural resources (including Oregon State Parks and watersheds), and over $50 million for problem gambling treatment programs.