# How Much Can Oregon Lottery Retailers Really Make? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/how-much-can-oregon-lottery-retailers-really-make/ - Published: 2023-10-24 - Author: Lillie Gabler - Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/) --- Hey there! As a fellow Oregonian and lottery player, I’m sure you’ve wondered just how lucrative it is for all those stores, gas stations, and markets across our state to sell lottery tickets and host video poker machines. I’ll admit, I’ve definitely been curious if those smiling cashiers are raking in the big bucks from our lottery purchases! Well, I decided to dig into the details and statistics to get the real scoop on how much our local lottery retailers are earning from Powerball tickets, scratch-its, video poker, keno, and more. As an avid lottery buff, I wanted to uncover everything about the retailer commission structure, average Oregon lottery sales volumes, and how to maximize profits as a lottery retailer. Let me walk you through everything I’ve uncovered! ## How Lottery Retailer Commissions Work in Oregon The first key to understanding potential earnings for Oregon lottery retailers is learning how the commission structure works. Retailers earn a percentage of every ticket sold, ranging from 5% to 8% depending on the game. Here are the standard commission rates: - Scratch-its: 8% - Powerball & Megabucks: 5% - Win for Life: 8% - Keno: 5% - Sports Action: 5% - Video Lottery: Up to 7% For example, if a $2 scratch-it ticket is sold, the retailer would earn 16 cents in commission. Not too shabby! On top of these standard commissions, retailers can also qualify for incentive bonuses by hitting certain targets. For instance, selling a huge jackpot winning Powerball or Megabucks ticket over $10 million will score the retailer a $50,000 bonus commission. Now that’s a payday! Based on this commission breakdown, a retailer’s earnings potential directly corresponds to their total Oregon lottery sales volume. The more tickets scanned at their registers, the higher the commission totals. ## What Are Average Lottery Sales for Oregon Retailers? Of course, lottery sales volumes fluctuate greatly depending on the size and location of the business. A small corner gas station won’t move nearly as many tickets as a Safeway grocery store. According to 2019 data from the Oregon Lottery, the average weekly lottery sales per retailer in our state was $1,882. That factors in both tiny retailers and high-volume chains. Based on typical 5-8% commission rates, weekly earnings from $1,882 in lottery sales would be: - $94 to $141 per week - $4,900 to $7,350 annually However, retailers on the higher sales volume end can fare much better. Let’s look at a retailer selling $5,000 worth of lottery tickets each week, for example: - $5,000 weekly sales - $250 to $400 weekly commissions - $13,000 to $20,800 annual commissions! So you can see the earning potentialscales dramatically based on total sales volumes. Consistently driving higher lottery traffic pays off big time! Now let’s look at some examples across different Oregon cities to visualize the sales variance: | City | Average Weekly Lottery Sales | Est. Weekly Earnings | | --- | --- | --- | | Lake Oswego | $725 | $36 to $58 | | Medford | $1,194 | $60 to $96 | | Albany | $1,768 | $88 to $142 | | Grants Pass | $2,037 | $102 to $163 | | Roseburg | $2,289 | $115 to $184 | | Bend | $2,508 | $125 to $201 | | Eugene | $2,843 | $142 to $228 | | Salem | $3,146 | $157 to $252 | | Portland Metro | $3,672 | $184 to $294 | As you can see, Portland metro retailers have the highest earning potential thanks to greater population and lottery participation rates. Rural retailers face more of an uphill battle driving consistent lottery sales. ## How Do Video Lottery and Keno Compare? Another important factor is that Oregon is one of the only states to feature widescale video lottery gaming. This includes video poker, slots, keno, and other electronic games at dedicated bars, taverns, delis, and restaurants across the state. As a lottery retailer, operating these video lottery terminals can become a major source of revenue. Retailers earn up to 7% of the money wagered through the machines. In 2022, players wagered over $4 billion on video lottery games in Oregon. At a 7% commission, that translates to $280 million in potential video lottery earnings for retailers! Not too shabby. Traditional keno games also offer a nice 5% commission for retailers as players can place bets every few minutes on new drawings. Focused keno outlets generate significant commissions by driving continuous play. So while video poker and keno require larger upfront investments from retailers, the long-term earning potential is very lucrative compared to selling draw game tickets alone. ## Don‘t Forget About Performance Bonuses! Another great perk for lottery retailers in Oregon is taking advantage of all the performance bonuses and contests offered by the Oregon Lottery. For example, retailers receive a $300 bonus for increasing their overall sales by 15% over the previous year. Additional bonuses are paid out for hitting scratch-it sales targets and selling major jackpot winning tickets. Retailers can also qualify for contests with prizes like a $3,000 shopping spree or premium reserved tickets to the Civil War football game. By consistently hitting sales targets and taking advantage of incentive programs, the most motivated lottery retailers can maximize commissions by thousands more per year! ## What Are the Startup Costs for Lottery Retailers? If earning solid commissions has you ready to become an Oregon lottery retailer, here’s a quick look at what’s required: - **$25 application fee** to get the process started - **$28 background check fee** per owner - Proof of being **18+ years old** for all owners - **Retailer bond** between $300 to $50,000 depending on projected sales - **Inventory** costs for having adequate ticket stock on hand For retailers wanting to offer video lottery terminals: - **$500 application fee** for video lottery license - **$1,500 per terminal** licensing fee - Leasing or purchasing the **video lottery terminals** Though there are some costs involved, the Oregon Lottery provides amazing marketing tools, retail displays, and staff training to set retailers up for success. ## Tips for Maximizing Lottery Retailer Profits If you‘re an aspiring or current Oregon lottery retailer looking to step up your sales game, here are my top tips: - **Promote new games** and jackpots to attract more players. Market big prizes! - **Train staff** to engage players and promote lottery at the register. - **Monitor sales trends** to optimize inventory levels and marketing tactics. - Make sure your store is **clean and comfortable** to drive video lottery play time. - **Take advantage** of all available retailer contests and bonus programs through the Lottery. - **Invest in high-traffic terminals** and keep machines in excellent working order to encourage continuous video lottery play. - **Use point-of-sale displays and signage** to prominently showcase current jackpot amounts. Lottery retailers with great customer service, smart promotions, and optimized sales processes can truly maximize their earning potential and stand out in this competitive business. ## The Bottom Line on Oregon Lottery Retailer Earnings While individual earnings vary based on factors like location and local demand, Oregon lottery retailers have the potential to bring in impressive profits by leveraging commissions, performance bonuses and contests. A small rural retailer may only net a few thousand in commissions annually, while a Portland airport convenience store could tally over $300,000! But regardless of size, every Oregon lottery retailer plays a key role in generating $1.5 billion each year for valuable state programs while also enjoying the perks of solid supplemental income. So next time you grab some lottery tickets or sit down at a video poker machine, appreciate that your favorite local retailer has likely perfected their process to maximize their lottery earnings! Together, we contributors keep those Oregon Lottery funds flowing strong. I hope this breakdown gave you some insight into how lucrative the lottery retail business can be here in Oregon. Who knows, you might be inspired to open your own lottery outlet someday! I know I’m certainly tempted after learning what the profit potential looks like. Let the games…and commissions…begin! --- Source: [How Much Can Oregon Lottery Retailers Really Make?](https://33rdsquare.com/how-much-can-oregon-lottery-retailers-really-make/)