States differ quite a bit on how they regulate gambling, or whether gambling is legal at all within the state boundaries. Gambling was limited primarily to Nevada (particularly Las Vegas) and New Jersey (Atlantic City) for most of the 20th century, but the emergence of casinos on Native American reservations led to a general loosening of gambling laws throughout much of the country (see the National Indian Gaming Commission's Website to learn more). Currently just a few states prohibit gambling entirely, including Utah and Hawaii.
Gambling statutes cover a wide variety of activities involving a wager, including horse and dog racing, games at card rooms, bookmaking, commercial and Indian casinos, and pull-tab instant win games. Official state lotteries are a form of gambling, but are typically operated and regulated independently of other forms of gambling.
Overview of Oregon Gambling Laws
The state of Oregon allows many types of gambling, including licensed horse and dog racing (and off-track wagering on these events), Indian casinos, social gaming, and charitable gambling. See the following chart for additional details about Oregon's gambling laws.
| Code Section | 167.108 et seq.; 462.010 et seq. |
| Gambling | Staking or risking something of value upon outcome of a contest of chance or future contingent event not under control of actor, upon agreement that actor would receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. |
| Horse Racing/Off-Track Betting | Licensed horse racing and mutuel wagering legal. Off-track mutuel wagering authorized. |
| Dog Racing/Off-Track Betting | Licensed dog racing and mutuel wagering legal. Off-track mutuel wagering authorized. |
| Casinos Allowed? | Only gambling places authorized at tribal gaming facilities. |
| Other Kinds of Gambling-Related Activities Allowed or Banned | Bona fide business contracts; contest of chance where players win prizes, not money, bingo, lotto, raffles, and Monte Carlo events sponsored by charitable organizations; social games are legal. Bookmaking; possession of gambling records; possession of gray machines; cheating illegal. Counties and cities may authorize game playing in private settings. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change, usually through legislation, appellate court opinions, or ballot initiatives. You may want to contact an Oregon gaming attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
Oregon Gambling Laws: Related Resources
