July 1 Rollout Targeted for Video Slot Games

SALEM, Ore. -- Despite the opposition of some legislators, Oregon Lottery officials indicated that July 1 is being targeted as the start-up date for the lottery's new video slot machine games.

"We aren't just going to flip a switch. We are going to plan it and make it successful," Lottery Director Dale Penn said during a meeting of the state Lottery Commission.

Penn's comment came as the panel voted to begin exploring the steps needed to implement Gov. Ted Kulongoski's plan to expand state-sponsored gambling to generate more profit for the state.

Senate President Peter Courtney said he's heard from Senate Democrats who think it's a mistake to generate more revenue by adding video slot games to vendors' video poker terminals.

"I don't know what their numbers are, but there are individual senators who are very adamantly opposed to it," the Salem Democrat said.

A formal vote to go ahead with slot machines won't come until next month, but Lottery Commission members made it clear Friday that they intend to proceed with the expansion as quickly as possible.

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