Oregon Lottery Celebrates 40th Anniversary With New Scratch-it, Retail Partnerships (Photo) -04/23/25

Salem, Ore. – Oregon Lottery is celebrating a big milestone – it’s been 40 years since the first tickets were sold on April 25, 1985, creating dreams for future millionaires while supporting state programs and retailers.

 

To commemorate the anniversary, Oregon Lottery created a 40^th Anniversary Scratch-it, themed after Lottery’s very first game, Pot of Gold. The ticket is on sale now for $30 and features 25 top prizes of $40,000.   

 

With voter approval, Oregon Lottery was originally created to help jump-start the state’s economy by supporting economic development. It wasn’t until 1995 when voters approved an amendment to allocate Lottery funds for public education. Since then, other beneficiaries were added such as state parks, outdoor school, veterans services, and more. Lottery is now the state’s second largest funding source after personal income tax, contributing over $16.5 billion to state programs.

 

“For decades, Lottery revenue has helped support inspiring teachers, brave veterans, curious students, and innovative businesses,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells.  “As we look to the future, we remain committed to operating the lottery as a stable and reliable source of funding for our state.”

 

More than 200 retailers big and small have been with Oregon Lottery since the beginning, including well-known names such as Safeway, McKay’s Market, Plaid Pantry, Roth’s Fresh Markets, Thriftway, 7-Eleven, and Fred Meyer stores. 

 

"Fred Meyer is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Oregon Lottery,” said Tiffany Sanders, corporate affairs manager for Fred Meyer. “Over the years, the Oregon Lottery has contributed significantly to education, parks, and vital state programs, making a lasting impact on the lives of Oregonians. Here's to 40 years of fun, excitement, and community growth, and to many more years of making a difference together!"

 

Greek Village is a locally-owned retailer near Cedar Hills. The restaurant/lounge was amongst the inaugural establishments to sell Oregon Lottery games and was founded by current owner Irene Pavlatos’ father in 1971. She now runs the business and is able to pay her cooks more than many competitors because of the boost from offering Lottery games. In one recent instance, she was able to help an employee who suffered a personal hardship with Lottery sales commissions paid to her business.

 

“We have that room to give her a bonus,” she said. “It allows us to do a lot of good that we wouldn’t be able to do without it.” 

 

Celebrating 40 years of selling games since April 25, 1985, Oregon Lottery has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.  

One Year Later: Oregon Lottery’s $1.3 Billion Powerball Winner Reflects On Win (Photo) -04/07/25

It’s been a year since Cheng “Charlie” Saephan’s life was forever changed, as he discovered the Powerball ticket he purchased was worth $1.3 billion - the largest in Oregon’s history and fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history. Saephan shared the prize with his wife and a friend, who went in on the ticket purchase.  

 

Since April 6, when the winning drawing took place, he’s been focused on his health, and is “still fighting” a cancer diagnosis. Other than a guys’ trip to Vegas, he has chosen to stay in the Portland area and has undergone two surgeries, not allowing for much jet setting.     

 

So how has the prize changed his life over the past year? Saephan used some of his good fortune to buy a new home for his family and made a fun purchase for himself – a metallic, neon Lamborghini. The color and style is so rare, he had to purchase the sports car from a dealer in Canada.  

 

“I don’t worry about money now,” he said. “I’ve got my family set up.”  

 

He’s also supporting the community, with the purchase of east side apartments as an investment property and is financially invested in a growing, local Thai restaurant group.  

 

The response to his big win had his heartfelt story and picture show up in media coverage across the globe. He was even recognized by a stranger at a Blazer game.  

 

“’Hi, how are you doing?’ a woman at the game asked,” Saephan said. “I had a beer in my hand and we cheered and she was acting like she knows me. I said, ‘do I know you?’ and she said, ‘I saw you on the news. You look like the guy who won the lottery.’”   

 

Day to day, not much has changed. Saephan is at home when his children arrive after school and mostly continues to enjoy a simple life. He still enjoys some lottery play, buying Powerball and Megabucks tickets each week. He believes he could win again, as much as he believes in using his good fortune to help support his family and community.  

 

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $16.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.