Following an executive order made by Governor Kate Brown earlier this month the Oregon Lottery has announced it will begin the process of restarting video lottery terminals (VLT) in specific counties that are reopening.

Brown’s order extended the current state of emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak that was set to expire on May 7. However, due to the continued threat to public health and safety, she extended the period by an additional 60 days through to July 6. 

But with many gaming facilities slowly reopening across the US, counties within the state of Oregon are now beginning to open, albeit with strict health parameters in place. 

Lottery Director Barry Pack stated:“As Oregon begins to reopen, Lottery is working with the Governor’s office, public health officials and retailers across the state to provide safer access to Lottery games and help kickstart the state’s economic recovery.

“While the shut down of Video was statewide and immediate, restarting will take some time as we work with retailers to ensure they can operate under the new guidelines.”

Additional health parameters are now being put in place by the lotteries with players set to expect changes to both terminals and activity within the premises. These include: 

• Terminals must be spaced at least 6 feet apart

• Players must request access to a terminal before playing

• An employee must clean each terminal between play sessions

• One player at a time is allowed at a terminal