Oregon Governor Floats State-Owned Casino Proposal

What Governor Ted Kulongoski has thrown into the debate is the prospect of a casino wholly owned by the state, with all gambling profits funding education.

Oregon is one of a multitude of states facing a choice between cutting essential services as revenues decline, or finding a new source of cash, which usually means gambling in some form. What Governor Ted Kulongoski has thrown into the debate is the prospect of a casino wholly owned by the state, with all gambling profits funding education.

Faced with alternatives including raising property taxes or giving shorter jail terms to violent criminals, casino gaming may sound like an intriguing idea even to ardent gambling opponents. The state budget is facing a $4 billion deficit, and paying for jails and schools without raising taxes is becoming problematic.

Kulongoski wants to place a casino next to the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. A new hotel lies there, and the governor would purchase the ground floor to operate as a state gaming palace.

Oregon had previously received state revenue from the sports gambling program run by the state lottery, but closed that option when bullied by the NCAA and sports leagues. The NCAA said it would block March Madness games from the state if sports betting remained legal, and the NFL, as always, voiced displeasure to a state in which it contributes exactly nothing.

While strong political will remains against casino gaming, the foes of the governor's idea will soon be forced to find an alternative, or get in line to save services in their state.