Lottery chiefs leave payouts unchanged
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Lottery Commission has voted unanimously to maintain compensation rates for video lottery retailers despite claims by education advocates that schools should get a bigger share. The commissioners followed a recommendation by Lottery Director Dale Penn, who said reducing payouts to bars that host video gambling machines would eventually have the unintended consequence of reducing revenues the lottery gets - which would cut the amount available for the schools. Penn also said it was a risky strategy that could hurt the overall health of the Lottery. The lottery commission vote Friday leaves new five-year contracts for retailers unchanged. Bars and taverns now get an average of about 24 cents for every dollar spent at video lottery machines. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)