Retailer Round-Up
July 27, 2026
Winning Moments
At Lottery payment centers in Salem and Wilsonville, more than 8,000 monthly claims become moments worth celebrating. The Player Services team creates positive, memorable experiences with photos, oversized checks, and stories that capture the excitement of winning. That celebration often begins earlier, at retail locations where welcoming environments make players feel known, remembered, and genuinely cheered on, thanks to your partnership.
To keep wins convenient, retailers can pay prizes up to $600 for traditional and $1,250 for Video Lottery, reducing travel for players. Together, retailers and Lottery teams create a seamless joyful journey, one that players remember long after the moment they win and celebration continues.
Community Commitment
Tom’s Restaurant in Southeast Portland has been a neighborhood staple since 1975, now in its third generation. A Lottery partner since 1992, Tom’s demonstrates how consistency, knowledge, and connection drive long-term success.
General Manager, Nick, emphasizes staff education ensuring every team member understands games, equipment, and how to resolve issues quickly. Strong communication with their Lottery representative helps them stay ahead of new games and system updates. Just as important is their welcoming atmosphere, where every customer is greeted with a smile and treated like a regular. Tom’s shows that combining operational excellence with genuine customer care builds lasting community relationships, strengthens performance, and creates memorable player experiences that keep customers coming back year after year.
Feedback Matters
Retailer Survey Returns September 8
Share Your Voice and Shape What’s Next
The Oregon Lottery is gearing up for the 2026 Retailer Satisfaction Survey, and this is your opportunity to make your voice heard. From September 8 through October 6, retailers across the state will be invited to participate in a brief survey designed to capture your experiences, insights, and ideas. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and the feedback you provide helps drive meaningful improvements in how the Lottery supports your business.
Why Your Feedback Matters
Your input plays a vital role in shaping Lottery strategy, programs, and services. Whether it’s sharing what’s working well or identifying opportunities for improvement, every response helps inform future planning and strengthens the retailer experience.
How to Participate
Designated contacts will receive an email invitation and/or printed survey. Watch for emails from: Oregon State Lottery at invites@decipherinc.com. Once the survey launches, it will also be available via the Oregon Lottery retailer webpage for easy access.
What’s New in 2026
This year, the survey will explore the evolving retail environment, including how retailers are adapting to changing consumer shopping behaviors and incorporating new ways for customers to engage in-store. Your perspective will help guide future innovations and support.
A Thank You for Your Time
Complete the survey and you can choose to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of eighteen $150 rewards.
Oregon Lottery staff celebrate at US Market #180 in Albany with store owners Arashvir Sidhu (third from left), Parveeh Sidhu (fourth from left), Rupinder Kaur (far right), alongside Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II (center)
After eight months without a winner, Oregon’s Game Megabucks jackpot climbed to $11.1 million before two winning tickets were sold in April.
Store owner, Arashvir Sidhu
One ticket came from US Market #180 in Albany, earning co-owners Rupinder Kaur and Parveen Sidhu a $56,000 selling bonus. It was their first jackpot-winning sale since becoming a retailer in 2007. Kaur shared that her daughter, who works in the store, sold and later scanned the winning ticket for a regular customer, making the moment even more special. The store plans to reinvest some of the bonus into upgrades, including expanded fresh food and beverage options. The second winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven in Portland, which also received a $56,000 selling bonus.
We appreciate our retail partners who make these wins possible. Thank you for proudly selling Oregon Lottery games and creating memorable experiences for your customers every day.
News and Updates
quick tips
Ever printed a ticket by mistake, or forgotten to confirm or activate a pack of Scratch-its? Now there’s an easier way to stay on top of everyday lottery essentials.
Our new Quick Picks video series is designed with retailers in mind, delivering short, easy-to-follow tips that help you and your team handle common processes with greater accuracy and confidence. Whether it’s avoiding simple errors, reinforcing best practices, or providing quick refreshers for new team members, these videos are a fast and practical way to support smoother daily operations.
Getting started is easy – just hop over the Retailer Reference page to watch the first video and begin putting these tips into action right away. A few minutes of learning today can help reduce errors, save time, and improve the overall experience for both your staff and your customers. And this is just the beginning! Be sure to watch for more Quick Picks videos in upcoming newsletters, each focused on helping you succeed at the counter with helpful, retailer-friendly guidance.
new training
New Safer Play (RG) retailer training launched in March. This required training module was developed specifically for Lottery Product retailers that sell Scratch-its & Draw Games. It is designed to help retail staff communicate effectively when facing gambling related situations during interactions with customers. Content includes information on how the games work, promoting safer play as part of a good customer experience, and strategies for directing players to available tools and resources. If you or your staff haven’t already, complete the module today on the retailer section of our website.
inserts update
In January 2026, we implemented a change and now place Scratch-its game inserts (bursts) outside of cellophane packs. To continue supporting you, here are some tips for efficiency and keeping them safe:
- Tape the insert directly to the game pack
- Use a rubber band to attach it to the pack
- Store inserts in a small, organized box or envelope
- Keep them in your Lottery provided red folder
As a reminder, you may still see older games printed prior to this change with inserts inside the cellophane. If your game inserts are missing from a shipment, have been misplaced, or to provide feedback, contact your Account Manager or Customer Service.
accurate hours
Reporting changes to your business hours helps both the Lottery and your operations run smoothly. If your location’s regular hours change, notify Customer Service or your Account Manager as soon as possible. Keeping hours accurate ensures Lottery staff can align visits for check-ins, service, and compliance reviews.
penny update
Penny supply is tightening: Banks are no longer able to source coins reliably from the Federal Reserve.
Operational impact: Retailers may face challenges providing exact change, especially for cash transactions and prize payouts.
Prize payments reminder: All prize payouts must remain compliant with contractual obligations.
Prize payment guidance: Pay the exact amount in cash rounding up to the nearest $.05 if needed or issue a check for the exact amount (or combine cash and check).
Oregon update: Recent legislation (HB 4178) reinforces expectations around handling transactions when exact pennies are unavailable, including rounding practices. This measure is specific to the purchase of goods or services and does not apply to payment of Lottery prizes.
vlt care
Proper maintenance and handling of your VLTs (Video Lottery Terminals) helps keep your machines running smoothly and ensures a great player experience. Please review the following guidelines for VLT moves and routine cleaning:
VLT Moves
- Provide at least 2 weeks’ notice for any request VLT move by contacting Customer Service
- Only Lottery Service Teams are authorized to move VLTs, due to liability requirements
- Use protective coverings (tarps, plastic, etc.) to safeguard VLTs during remodeling or painting projects
- Dedicated power and CATS connections must be in place and will be verified before any move is completed
VLT Cleaning
- Avoid harsh chemicals on touch screens, monitors, and button panels
- Use a clean towel with water or isopropyl alcohol (no more than 70%)
- Clean VLT surfaces weekly, including sides, tops, and bases
- Keep areas behind VLTs clear of trash and debris
- If cleaning is needed behind machines, contact Customer Service to schedule a proper VLT move
Keeping your VLTs clean and properly maintained helps extend their lifespan and ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for players.
report issues
When issues arise, your first step should always be to contact Customer Service. Calling it in (even repeat issues!) helps us accurately document what’s happening at your location and ensures we’re addressing the problem correctly.
In many cases, Customer Service can walk you through a quick fix over the phone, saving you time and getting you back up and running faster without the need for a technician visit. If the issue can’t be resolved remotely, they will ensure a technician is dispatched as needed.
Customer Service team members Miguel and Dan
Please remember, per contract, retailers are required to troubleshoot with Customer Service before a technician can be dispatched. This step helps us provide faster, more effective support and ensures we’re sending technicians only when necessary. You can find the Customer service phone number on your terminals or at the bottom of this page.
Questions?
Contact your Account Manager or our customer service team at 1-800-766-6789
