PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Lottery officials will slash 60 jobs and furlough most other workers in response to a budget gap that comes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and state stay-home order.
The cuts come six weeks after Oregonians last gambled on video lottery machines, which bring in the majority of the Lottery’s money, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Director Barry Pack said the 60 job reductions amounted to 13% of the agency’s staff. Another 61% of the workforce will be furloughed for at least 30 days, he said. Staffers will also take pay cuts between 10% and 15%.
The changes will save the state $7.4 million, the lottery agency said.
“Today is a hard day, but these reductions will help ensure Lottery continues to deliver needed dollars to Oregon now and in the long run,” Pack said in a statement.
The shutdown of the state’s video lottery terminals followed Gov. Kate Brown’s ban on dining inside restaurants and bars.
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