Oregon Gambling Guide: Legal Options and Regulations
Oregon features a regulated gambling environment dominated by tribal casinos, the state lottery including video lottery terminals (VLTs), and mobile sports betting through the Oregon Lottery. Real-money online casinos and poker are not authorized, with laws focusing on prohibiting unlicensed operations while emphasizing tribal sovereignty and state-controlled revenue streams. The Oregon Lottery Commission oversees lottery products and sports betting, while tribal gaming operates under federal compacts with state agreements.
Technical Sheet
Casino: Oregon Regulated Gambling (No Online Casinos), Website: oregonlottery.org, Established: Lottery 1985, tribal gaming 1990s, sports betting 2019, License: Oregon Lottery Commission, tribal-state compacts, Operator: Oregon Lottery, tribal nations, Providers: N/A for online casinos (sports: DraftKings), Payment Methods: Varies by sportsbook (cards, ACH, etc.), Withdrawal Times: Varies (often 1-5 days), Customer Support: Operator-specific (live chat, phone), Active Bonuses: Sportsbook welcome offers (e.g., bet credits),
Overview of Gambling Regulations
Oregon Revised Statutes Section 167 addresses gambling, prohibiting unlicensed activities and specifically targeting internet gambling businesses that accept payments for unlawful play. Individual players using offshore sites face limited enforcement, though such platforms lack state protections. Regulated gambling prioritizes revenue for education, public services, and tribal communities, with strict age requirements (21+ for casinos, sports betting, and most lottery games; 18+ for some lottery draws).
Tribal casinos provide the primary casino-style experiences, while the state lottery manages VLTs at thousands of retail locations and exclusive mobile sports betting.
Tribal Casinos
Nine tribal casinos operate under compacts, offering slots, table games (where permitted), poker, bingo, and retail sportsbooks at select properties:
- Chinook Winds Casino Resort (Lincoln City): Slots, table games, sports betting, bingo, and resort amenities.
- Spirit Mountain Casino (Grand Ronde): Extensive slots, table games, poker, and entertainment.
- Three Rivers Casino Resort (Coos Bay and Florence): Slots, table games, and coastal resort features.
- Wildhorse Resort & Casino (Pendleton): Slots, table games, poker, and golf course.
- Seven Feathers Casino Resort (Canyonville): Slots, table games, and hotel facilities.
- Kla-Mo-Ya Casino (Chiloquin): Slots and gaming options.
- Indian Head Casino (Warm Springs): Slots, table games, and cultural elements.
- Ko-Kwel Casino Resort (Coos Bay/North Bend): Slots and resort amenities.
These venues support tribal economies and offer diverse gaming with hospitality options.
Mobile Sports Betting
Exclusive mobile sports betting launched in 2019, operated solely through the Oregon Lottery’s DraftKings-powered app for those 21+. Bettors access professional leagues, with restrictions on college sports (prohibited on the app but available at tribal retail sportsbooks). Retail sportsbooks operate at select tribal casinos.
Poker and Casino Games
Live poker rooms exist at several tribal casinos and licensed card rooms (primarily in Portland and Eugene), featuring cash games and tournaments. No regulated online poker is available. Sweepstakes and social platforms serve as legal alternatives for casino-style play.
Daily Fantasy Sports and Lottery
DFS operates without specific regulation; major platforms accept Oregon players under skill-based contest interpretations. The Oregon Lottery offers draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions), scratch-offs, and VLTs (over 12,000 machines) at bars, restaurants, and retailers. No online lottery ticket sales exist, though the app provides information and tools.
Bingo and Charitable Gaming
Bingo is permitted for charitable, religious, or fraternal organizations under licenses. No regulated online bingo is available.
Payment Methods and Protections
The DraftKings sportsbook supports secure deposits via cards, ACH, and other methods, with encryption and geolocation verification. Responsible gaming includes limits, self-exclusion, and resources through 1-877-MYLIMIT or OPGR.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online casino gambling legal in Oregon?
No, real-money online casinos are not regulated or authorized.
What gambling forms are legal?
Tribal casinos, mobile sports betting via DraftKings (Oregon Lottery), VLTs, state lottery, charitable bingo, and DFS in practice.
What is the legal age?
21 for casinos, sports betting, and most lottery games; 18 for certain lottery draws and pari-mutuel betting.
Can offshore sites be used?
While player enforcement is uncommon, offshore platforms lack Oregon protections and may violate state laws.
What is the outlook for online casinos?
No significant progress toward iGaming legalization; tribal compacts and state monopoly on betting limit expansion.
Oregon balances tribal sovereignty with state-controlled lottery and sports betting for secure, revenue-generating options. Players benefit from regulated safeguards and community support. Consult official sources like the Oregon Lottery or tribal venues for updates.