The one thing poker does is to forge the proverbial love-hate relationship with its enthusiasts. But somehow, the weight tips the scale towards love rather than hate.
And people in the Beaver state aren’t any different. That they are sandwiched between two conflicting states doesn’t help matters either.
To the north is the Washington state with their strictest anti-iGaming rules and to the south is California, who have introduced a friendly iGaming legislature. So, with two extremes, where should Oregon state lie?
History of Poker in Oregon
Oregon has an exciting history with poker. The only reason land-based poker rooms exist in the state is thanks to the 1992 social gaming law. However, an incident happened in 2013. Some lawmakers came out with fire in their hair, claiming the players and non-casino card room operators weren’t following the law as it was intended.
They proposed a bill to restrict games outside the casino to Elks recruitment meetings and church fundraisers, just anything that was a one-time event, and that only raised money for approved organizations.
They claimed that flaunting the rules would corrupt their communities and that they were sick of it.
Truth is, they, too, were under a lot of pressure from the Indian casino owners. The event sparked a rally from the players, sending letters to editors and testifying before the lawmakers. As a result, the bill failed, and the rooms continue to run until today.
Is Poker and Online Poker legal in Oregon?
Oregon may be one of the best states for poker gaming in the nation. Apart from the gambling clause introduced in 1992, they barely made any efforts to regulate their gambling scene.
1992 law regulates gambling in the state to social gaming. This means card rooms and bars can spread games with a license from the city. They cannot, however, take any money from the table or rake.
Instead, they make their profits by selling foods and drinks and charging a small fee at the entrance. They use volunteers as dealers who take wages from the tips the players give.
So, if the house cannot take rakes from the game, what about the players? The players can only play for drinks, or for commodities not within 50 miles of the place where the poker game is taking place, provided the house/person offering the games receives no profit.
It seems the state is taking a tepid approach to allowing real-money online poker games. But it has plans to do so real soon.
Poker rooms/Casinos in Oregon
While online poker may be a bust, live poker isn’t.
Thanks to the social gaming leeway, Oregon has tons of casinos which spread poker games.
There are 20 live poker card rooms in the state, some in tribal casinos and others in non-tribal card rooms.
Though they do not rake, these so-called social card rooms operate just like any other card room. Some offer membership-only clubs, while others feature the classic open poker.
Here are the live poker rooms in Oregon;
- Beach Poker Club (Eugene, OR)
- Chinook Winds Casino (Lincoln City, OR)
- Final Table Poker Club (Portland, OR)
- Full House Poker (Eugene, OR)
- Grants Pass Poker Room (Grants Pass, OR)
- High Mountain Poker Palace (Eugene, OR)
- Medford Social Poker Room (Medford, OR)
- MVP Games & Sports (Corvallis, OR)
- No Look Poker Club (Medford, OR)
- Ontario Poker Room & Social Club (Ontario, OR)
- Oregon Poker Club – Claudia’s (Portland, OR)
- Oregon Poker Club – Kit Kat Club (Portland, OR)
- Oregon Poker Club – Rialto Pool Room (Portland, OR)
- Portland Meadows (Portland, OR)
- Southern Oregon Poker Club (Medford, OR)
- Spirit Mountain Casino (Grand Ronde, OR)
- The Club House (Roseburg, OR)
- The Game (Portland, OR)
- Three Rivers Casino (Florence, OR)
- Wildhorse Casino (Pendleton, OR)
Online poker in Oregon
Oregon’s laws do not cover online poker. So you do not break any rules by participating in the game.
It’s possible to play poker online at offshore casinos and get off scot-free. But know this is a risk you are taking, so you better make sure you use a licensed site and only stick to what you need to play.
Although the state is taking a lukewarm approach regarding online poker, that doesn’t mean residents can’t take part in US-friendly online poker rooms.
The top sites to play online poker include;
Bovada Poker
Ranks among the best five online casinos that offer poker rooms. It features some of the best promotions and remarkable competitions contrasted with other poker sites. It has everything you will want, extraordinary advancements, and reliable customer support. Bovada accepts a variety of payment options including cryptocurrencies. Plus, it is licensed so you are safe to play.
BetOnline Poker
Betonline Casino is another online casino that has some of the most fantastic poker games on the internet. Generous bonuses, a wide selection of games, live dealing, Free VIP club among many. That’s what you will find here. It also accepts real cash deposits and withdrawals.
Ignition Poker
Ignition Casino is another notable brand. The clubhouse offers a download, no download, and a mobile gambling club option to customers stuffed with slots and table games. It’s one casino with more realistic games, like what the brick and mortar casinos offer.
Bottom Line; Oregon poker lovers can play poker within the state, in the traditional casinos. As for online poker, it depends on the level of risk you are willing to undertake. Experts think the government might pass laws soon. If that will happen; no one knows.