Dispute arises over video poker

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004 | 9:08 a.m.

SALEM, Ore. -- Bars, taverns and restaurants with video poker machines do not employ more staff than those without the terminals, according to a report from an economic consulting firm.

The report, commissioned by the Oregon Lottery and conducted by ECONorthwest, also says video poker retailers need less than $10,000 a year in compensation to get a fair rate of return on their lottery investment. The roughly 1,900 bars and taverns received an average of $80,000 in compensation this past fiscal year for carrying the video poker terminals.

The Oregon Restaurant Association disputed the findings, which undermine its arguments against reducing the retailers' take. Lottery commissioners are considering cutting the compensation rate, now an average of 32 percent of net proceeds, to generate more revenue for schools, parks and other programs.

archive