OREGON - In Oregon, the lottery dream isn't just about personal wealth—it's about funding public schools and parks. While the odds remain fixed, certain high-volume retailers across the state have become legendary for consistently printing winning tickets, from massive Powerball jackpots to daily scratch-off successes.
Based on prize payout volume and a track record of selling Oregon's biggest-ever tickets, here are the "luckiest" places to try your fortune in the Beaver State.
The Jackpot Champion: Plaid Pantry
Location: Statewide (The most famous spot is NE Columbia Boulevard in Portland)
The Plaid Pantry chain secured its legendary status by selling the most significant single prize in Oregon's history. It is, unequivocally, the most famous lottery retailer in the state.
- The Luck Factor: In April 2024, the Plaid Pantry on NE Columbia Boulevard sold the single winning ticket for the $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot, setting an Oregon record. The chain itself is a consistent seller of smaller jackpots and Megabucks winners.
- Best For: Those seeking a multi-state draw game ticket from the exact location where an Oregon billionaire was born.
The Consistent Major Winner: Fred Meyer
Location: Statewide (The Beaverton location is famously lucky)
As Oregon's dominant grocery and merchandise chain, Fred Meyer sees massive daily customer traffic, making its lottery kiosks statistically reliable for large prizes.
- The Luck Factor: The Fred Meyer store in Beaverton has a proven track record, selling a ticket worth over $328 million in 2025. Like Plaid Pantry, Fred Meyer locations benefit from sheer volume and attract serious jackpot players.
- Best For: Powerball and Mega Millions players looking for a consistent, high-volume seller across multiple regions.
The "Top Ticket" Hotspots (Draw Games & Scratch-Offs)
While the big chains sell the colossal jackpots, the Oregon Lottery often highlights specific, smaller, independent retailers as the most consistent "top spots" for selling winning draw game tickets and scratch-offs.
- McLaughlin's Mini Mart (Gladstone): Cited by lottery officials as one of the top five luckiest spots in the state, this local mini mart is a high-traffic destination known for its frequent small- and medium-sized prize payouts.
- Foxy's (82nd Food Mart in Portland): Another independent retailer consistently praised by the Oregon Lottery for its substantial sales volume and resulting success in dispensing winning tickets.
- A1 Market (Salem): The capital city's primary entry on the "luckiest" lists, this market is a magnet for lottery players in the Willamette Valley.
The High-Volume Powerhouses: Video Lottery Retailers
The Oregon Lottery is unique in its wide availability of Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in restaurants and taverns. Because commissions are based on sales, these locations process an extremely high volume of winning activity.
- Shari's Restaurant (Airport Way, Portland): Locations like this one consistently rank at the very top for Video Lottery sales commissions. High volume means high winning frequency.
- Dotty's and Elmer's: These regional chains dominate the VLT market across Portland and Eugene. Their sheer concentration of VLTs means they have some of the highest payout commissions in the state.
- Best For: Players interested in Video Lottery or Keno, as these establishments have the highest turnover of daily winnings.
A Note on Oregon Lottery Games
The best place to buy a ticket depends on the game:
- Powerball & Mega Millions: Try the high-volume grocery and convenience chains (Plaid Pantry, Fred Meyer).
- Oregon's Game Megabucks: The state's local draw game often sees winners pop up in smaller, independent stores.
- Scratch-Its: Look for independent convenience stores with high local traffic, as they tend to cycle through ticket packs quickly.
Ultimately, the best strategy is to embrace the fun and visit one of these high-traffic Oregon legends, where the feeling of luck is contagious.