Gambling Laws In Oregon
There are quite a few gambling laws in Oregon and around the nation which govern gambling activities. Laws like the Federal Wire Act make it highly illegal to engage in the business of gambling across state lines, but none of the laws seem to go after individual gamblers. Based solely on that observation, one could deduce that it is perfectly legal to gamble in Oregon as long as you're not the one facilitating wagers.
Could it really be that easy? Well, we will soon find out as this guide to Oregon gaming laws + regulations is going to discuss what residents of the Beaver State need to know, as we've taken the liberty to isolate the most important statutes on the books. By the time you leave this page, OregonGamblingSites.com hopes you will be armed with the tools necessary to safely go out into the world, or online, to gamble until your heart is content. Time is wasting, let's get started!
Gambling is defined under 167.117(7) in the state of Oregon's revised statutes. If you read it carefully you will see that gambling is not unlawful provided that the person performing the act is not engaged in any facilitation of bets for profit other than winnings and he or she is not promoting gambling in any way. Oregon follows suit with the federal laws which only target large sums of money being raked by organized crime or racketeering.
There are plenty of exceptions for legal gambling in the state of Oregon which includes social games, charitable games and even gambling for tokens instead of money which can in turn be exchanged for property. If Oregon residents were to act as 'Bookmakers' or engage in 'Bookmaking' (unlawfully accepting bets from others and promoting gambling) they would face steep charges, fines and/or prison time. One of the most important definitions in the Oregon state gambling laws is of the word 'Player' 167.117(16), which most recreational bettors fall under and is not unlawful. The main thing for Oregon residents to take away from this is that gambling is perfectly okay so long as it is not for profit.
All in all, Oregon is a relaxed state when it comes to gambling. Residents may have lots of legislation to look through whether it be land based or internet gambling, but nothing prohibits a 'Player' from being able to place a bet. Locals of the Beaver State will find greyhound and thoroughbred race tracks, charitable gaming, a lottery, Native American casinos operating under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and a slew of social gaming options. Social gaming can even be conducted in businesses and private clubs so long as there is no cut being taken by someone conducting the gambling.
Land-Based Gambling In Oregon
Oregon is not short on gambling facilities or betting options for its residents and visitors alike. There are 17 casinos, 5 horse race tracks and 1 greyhound race track spread out through 15 cities, providing plenty of action for those in the Beaver State. People in the region have access to all of the major forms of betting such as classic casino games, live poker, pari-mutuel wagers on racing, a state lottery, bingo and a wide variety of private venues which offer a number of gambling games which vary by county. The state legislature is currently considering issuing licenses to commercial casinos as developers collects signatures to get a measure placed on the ballot.
Online Gambling In Oregon
One of a few states which has written in specific language for web-based gaming, Oregon's gambling laws explicitly state that operating an online gambling business in the state of Oregon is outright illegal with massive penalties for facilitating bets for profit. What is also clear however, is that players are completely left out of the legal language and as it is not unlawful to participate in gambling on the internet while in the state of Oregon. This means that locals in the Beaver State are free to place bets as they wish provided that they are using the services of an online gambling site which is not in business in Oregon. Indeed, as is the case with federal laws, any citizen is perfectly able to bet online legally without worry or concern just by following the simple condition that the site is based outside of both Oregon and U.S. jurisdictions.
There are a great many reputable legal gambling sites that welcome Oregon residents located throughout the world that allow users to put real money down on the table, and those sites are only a couple clicks away from the comfort of home. Many of these sites are even specifically designed to cater to American bettors despite their foreign location and will be specialized for American styles of games and wagering.
Popular Gambling Options In Oregon:
Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker
One such online gambling site which has remained immensely popular with Oregon residents is Bovada. This particular service offers each major form of gambling a user wants horse racing, classic casino games, poker or even the hard to come by sports betting. Bovada has been in business for decades as it was initially the American company Bodog before having to pick up shop and move to Canada after changing federal laws.
This online gambling site continues on to this day serving Oregon players and others across the nation with the best customer support, privacy, security and user interface over any other in the industry. With safe and reliable banking transactions, residents in Oregon are able to lock in winning bets on the Ducks and receive their payouts within 10 business days in the form of a check by courier. Bovada is certainly our top pick and number one recommendation for all those living in the Beaver State.
| Best Overall Betting Sites | Sports? | Casino? | Poker? | Horses? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| BetOnline | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| SportsBetting | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
The legal gambling age for those living in Oregon is 18 years of age or older however some casinos may hold their own age restrictions set at 21. The gambling laws in Oregon make no distinction about the age required to wager online and therefore it is safe to assume that all legal adults at least 18 years old are welcome to play online poker, bet on sports, or play casino games right in their living rooms.
Best For All Gaming Types
