Governor wants to stop slot proposal

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 | 11:13 a.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Gov. John Kitzhaber wants to deal a lemon to gamblers by asking the Oregon Lottery Commission to drop a plan to add slot machine-style games to thousands of video poker terminals.

The governor will ask the 2001 Legislature to reduce pressure on the lottery commission to pursue profits, making it harder to expand gambling.

Lottery officials decided to add slot-style machines in June, saying players and retailers want them. Profits are lagging because of competition from tribal casinos.

"The evidence about how much the proposal will increase addiction is unclear," Kitzhaber told the commission in October. He said it would be "undesirable" to introduce new products that would only increase the number of addicted gamblers.

Last year, the lottery earned $292 million in profits for the state. Video poker accounted for $222 million, or more than 75 percent.

The state faces an estimated budget shortfall of more than $700 million in 2001-03, so legislators are unlikely to take any action that would shrink the lottery.

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