Authorizes Multnomah County Casino; Casino to Contribute Monthly Revenue Percentage to State for Specified Purposes

Oregon Ballot Measure - Measure 75

Election: Nov. 2, 2010 (General)

Outcome: Failed

Categories:

Education
Gambling and Gaming
Government Budget and Spending
Employment and Affirmative Action

Summary


Ballot Measure 75 is a statutory initiative. It authorizes a major destination resort casino to be built on the site of the former greyhound racetrack, historically known as the Multnomah Kennel Club, located in Wood Village, Oregon. The measure allows the owner of the former Multnomah Kennel Club, or the person authorized by that owner as a gaming operator, to construct and operate one multi-million dollar casino resort on this site.

The measure authorizes many types of gaming activities, including electronic gaming devices that may include cash payment, table games, off-track pari-mutuel racing and other games of chance. The gaming operator may not offer live animal racing or sports bookmaking.

The measure requires that the Oregon State Lottery Commission issue a 15-year license to the gaming operator to operate the games authorized by the measure, if the gaming operator meets specified qualifications/conditions, to operate casino games. This measure requires that the commission renew the license if the gaming operator retains the qualifications required by the measure for an initial license. The measure contains additional provisions relating to public disclosure.

Currently the Oregon Constitution prohibits casinos in Oregon, and the Constitution would have to be amended by a separate ballot measure for the casino described in this measure to be established.

The measure requires the Oregon Lottery Commission to provide oversight and regulation of the gaming activities. Regulations include provisions related to qualifications of the gaming operator and gaming employees and to the types of games allowed.

The measure prohibits the expenditure of public funds for administration of the measure, and requires the gaming operator to pay the Oregon Lottery $2 million dollars per year, as adjusted for inflation, for administrative expenses.

Ballot Measure 75 creates the Oregon Job Growth, Education and Communities Fund (the "Fund"). Each month, 25% of the casino's adjusted gross gaming revenues shall be deposited in the Fund. Each year, the dedicated Fund shall allocate 50% of the revenues to all public school districts, to be used for "classroom instruction", defined to include teacher and staff salaries, textbooks, instructional supplies, classroom computers and technology, libraries and librarians and classroom safety and security.

Additional allocations from the dedicated Fund are to be made as follows: 30% to all Oregon counties and shared as described with certain cities; 4% to the host city in which the taxable casino is located; 3% to the Oregon State Police; 3% each, to the cities that adjoin the host city, 2% to the host county in which the taxable casino is located; and 2% to the Problem Gambling Treatment Fund.

The Oregon Lottery Commission shall submit to the people, the Governor, and the Legislative Assembly an Annual Report detailing the disbursements from the dedicated Fund.

Measure Text


    Currently, Oregon Constitution prohibits establishing casinos within state. Under measure, State Lottery shall issue renewable 15-year lease permitting owner of former Multnomah Kennel Club in Multnomah County to operate gaming devices, table games, keno, other games of chance at that site. Measure would become operative only if constitution is amended to permit casino or casinos within state. Casino operator shall pay 25% of adjusted gross revenues each month to State Lottery. Lottery shall deposit money into a Job Growth, Education and Communities Fund (separate from general fund), annually shall apportion half of fund for classroom instruction expenditures, 30% to counties. Casino operator initially shall pay $1 million, subsequently shall pay $2 million annually, to Lottery to administer measure. Other provisions.

    Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote authorizes a single privately-owned casino in Multnomah County; requires casino to give percentage of monthly revenue to State Lottery for specified purposes.

    Result of "No" Vote: "No" vote maintains the current state of the law, which does not authorize any privately-owned casino or casinos anywhere in the State of Oregon.

    Resources


    Official Summary

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