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Hood River News Editorial
August 19, 2006
Two news items, presented with minimal comment beyond mentioning that
they were both announced on the same day, Aug. 9:
Item One: Oregonians spent $1 billion on state-sponsored
lottery games in fiscal year 2006, the first time such expenditures
reached the 12-digit mark for a single year, according to a report in
the Oregonian newspaper quoting the Oregon Lottery Commission.
Item Two: The state’s first inpatient facility for the
treatment of gambling addiction is filled to capacity and had a
growing wait list — within a week of opening.
First, the billion: Almost three-quarters of the total ($728
million) was from video lottery. Scratch-It spending (the patriarch
from Lottery’s formation in 1985) came to $127 million, followed by
$117 million for Keno, $59 million for Powerball, $38.7 million for
Megabucks, and the rest split between Sports Action, Win for Life,
Breakopens, Pick 4, Lucky Lines, and Scoreboard.
The state’s latest video slot game, “Hex Breaker,” yields winnings for
anyone lining up enough black cats, broken mirrors and other symbols
normally associated with bad luck.
Back to the gambling treatment facility: According to a state press
release, the new Salem facility “strengthens a statewide network that
already included 27 outpatient treatment clinics, short-term
crisis/respite centers in Grants Pass and St. Helens, and a home-study
program for persons with less severe problems.”
An opening ceremony and open house at the 11-bed facility was held
Aug. 17. Among the scheduled speakers was a person in recovery from
problem gambling.
Oregon has the distinction of being just the second state besides
Louisiana with a state-financed residential treatment for persons with
severe gambling addictions, according to state DHS officials.
Treatment in the DHS-managed program is offered at no cost to the
individual because it is paid for by one percent of Oregon Lottery
revenues.
Part of that, of course, will come from Hex Breaker. |
