Share
With an Oregon Lottery mobile app now available, one official says that in time, the lottery commission plans to integrate technology that would allow for sports betting.
In fact, the lottery app went live on the iTunes Store on Sept. 11. The app for Android users is available on the Google Play store.
“The app coincides with the development of a sports betting strategy — we see an opportunity for those two efforts to intersect,” said Matt Shelby, public information manager for the Oregon Lottery.
Diving into the lottery app
Shelby said the first iteration of the mobile app does not give players the ability to purchase but plans to add that function is in development.
“We plan to iteratively add functionality over time including the ability to purchase jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions,” Shelby said.
Available app features
Currently, the new app allows customers to verify winning tickets for scratch-its, draw games and keno.
According to presentation materials, 98 percent of customers visiting the lottery website are checking winning tickets.
Should a customer scan a non-winning ticket, the app will show what lottery revenue dollars are used via geo-targeting.
The app includes responsible gaming tips, which give players a set of “responsible play best practices.”
Available tools include a budgeting calculator, and timer similar to dieting apps.
Finally, the app includes a retail finder with approximately 3,000 retailer locations across the state. The locator will provide customers with the nearest place to claim their prize.
Currently, the Oregon Lottery does not have plans to offer video lottery games via the app.
Next steps for Oregon sports betting
Following the US Supreme Court ruling on May 14, which did away with the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, states became free to pass their own set of laws to govern sports betting.
Oregon, along with three other states, were grandfathered into sports betting before the passage of PASPA. In 2007, state officials decided to halt all wagering in the Beaver State.
But according to the Statesman Journal, following the High Courts decision, Oregon Lottery officials said: “they were open to the possibility of bringing sports betting back to the state.”
Shelby said a sports betting offering would bring in new Oregon Lottery players. Yet, there is much work to do on that front.
According to the lottery commission’s revenue projections, online sports betting could net $61.4 million in revenue by its third year.
An additional $46.1 million could come via retail outlets.
However, the figures do not take into account the potential cannibalization from other lottery games.
“Overall, we see sports betting as an opportunity to increase our player base and sustainably grow our revenue,” Shelby said.
