If you’re a poker enthusiast, you may be wondering if there are any poker rooms in Oregon. The answer is yes, there are several places where you can play poker legally in the state of Oregon. However, the laws surrounding poker in the state of Oregon can be quite confusing, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you start playing.
Legal Status of Poker in Oregon
In Oregon, poker is considered a game of skill rather than a game of chance. This means that it falls under a different set of laws than other forms of gambling such as slot machines or roulette. The legal status of poker in Oregon is somewhat complicated and has gone through several changes over the years.
Back in 1973, the state passed a law that made it illegal to participate in any form of gambling that wasn’t expressly authorized by the state. However, this law was later amended to allow for social gaming as long as certain criteria were met. To qualify as social gaming, the game had to be played in a private residence among friends and acquaintances, with no house or operator taking a cut.
In 1997, the state passed another law that allowed for “charitable gaming” which included things like bingo and raffles. This law also allowed for “non-banking” card games such as poker to be played for money as long as they were held by licensed organizations and had certain restrictions placed on them.
Poker Rooms in Oregon
Under current law in Oregon, there are two ways to legally play poker for money:
- At one of the nine tribal casinos located throughout the state
- At one of the “social gaming” establishments that have been licensed by the state
There are no standalone poker rooms in Oregon – all of the poker games that are played for money are done so within the casinos or social gaming establishments. The tribal casinos in Oregon are allowed to offer any type of card game that they want, as long as it’s a non-banking game. This means that they can offer games like Texas Hold’em, but they can’t offer games like blackjack where the house takes a cut.
The social gaming establishments in Oregon are licensed by the state and include places like Portland Meadows, which offers off-track betting as well as poker and other card games. These establishments are not allowed to take a cut of the action – instead, they make their money by charging players a fee to participate in the game or by selling food and drinks.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to play poker for money in Oregon, you have a few options. You can visit one of the nine tribal casinos located throughout the state or check out one of the social gaming establishments that have been licensed by the state. Just be sure to follow all of the rules and regulations surrounding poker in Oregon to avoid any legal trouble.
