Oregon Lottery debuts Latino, Chinese New Year games

PORTLAND – The Oregon Lottery has long avoided advertising specifically to ethnic minorities, but the organization is beginning to change course.

The Oregonian reports that the lottery introduced a Latino-themed Loteria bingo last year and is now selling Chinese New Year-themed Scratch-It tickets.

Lottery officials say they added the new tickets because minority groups requested them.

Oregon lottery officials say they shied away from such marketing after a 2012 Oregon Lottery report found that ethnic minorities are at a greater risk of becoming problem gamblers.

But officials’ attitudes changed when minority groups began weighing in, including a group of Korean grocers who wanted a ticket that held specific appeal for their customers. Special lottery tickets often attract an influx of customers.

The Oregon Lottery debuts about 50 new games each year.

AP-WF-02-16-16 1631GMT