Oregon Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in The Beaver State
Oregon online casinos fall under the grey area in the state which means that residents can still enjoy some fun time in offshore casinos licensed overseas.
No one has ever been prosecuted for playing on sites that operate outside of state borders. There are a large number of operators that Oregonians can join for table games, slots, poker, sports betting, and more.
This guide will cover the legality of gambling in the Beaver State and closely examine some of the best casinos available.
Summary of OR Gambling Laws
Oregon sits somewhere in the middle when it comes to wagering laws.
They aren’t nearly as restrictive as somewhere like South Carolina, but they’re not as progressive as New Jersey.
The state officially permits tribal casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting.
| Gambling | Oregon |
|---|---|
| Is Online Gambling Legal? | Yes (Sports Betting Only) |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Grey Area (Offshore Sites Only) |
| Legal Age Online | 21 |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes |
| Legal Age Land-Based | 21 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in Oregon?
Several forms of gambling are allowed in Oregon. Sportsbooks are entirely legal in the state. There are also nine tribal casinos. Betting on horse racing is also permitted.
There are no in-state-operated online casinos, but offshore sites are available.
| Gambling | Oregon Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Casino Gambling | Land-based casinos are legal in the Beaver State. There are nine different tribal venues in OR, with more on the way. |
| Poker | Poker is legal in Oregon, and there are a number of clubs spread across the state. |
| Video Poker | Video poker has a separate section under state law. These machines can be found all around the state in bars, restaurants, and truck stops. |
| Horse Racing Betting | It’s legal to bet in horse racing in Oregon. |
| Dog Racing Betting | You won’t find any betting on dog racing in the state. Oregon outlawed it in 2022. |
| Lottery | The Oregon lottery is legal and available to anyone 18+. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | DFS is not officially legal but it is permitted in the state. |
| Sports Betting | Land-based sportsbooks are legal only on tribal reservations. Online sports betting is legal in Oregon. There is one state-operated platform. |
| Charitable Gaming | Charitable games are permitted in the Beaver State, and bingo nights and raffles are popular. |
| Social Gambling | It’s legal to host home games as long as you are not taking a rake or otherwise profiting from the game. |
| Online Gambling | Online casinos haven’t specifically been legalized in Oregon. There are offshore casinos that are available in the state. |
Best Oregon Online Casinos
We make it our full-time job to review every online casino available to Oregonians.
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Where to Gamble in Oregon
Oregonians have plenty of options. If you like to bet in person, there are tribal casinos, horse racing tracks, and poker clubs.
If you prefer gambling online, there are plenty of sportsbooks and casinos to keep you busy.
Here’s where to find some of the best options in OR.
Land-Based Casinos
All casinos in Oregon are located on tribal land. With nine different facilities (and a 10th proposed for the Hood River area), there is plenty of action for Oregonians.
Spirit Mountain is the most prominent brick-and-mortar venue with over 2,000 slots, table games, and more.
It’s also the only place that offers an online sportsbook (although you can only play when you are on the premises).
Here’s where you’ll find each casino:
Horse & Dog Tracks
Horse racing is popular in Oregon, which has nine different horse tracks.
There are several horse racing tracks in the state, but the sport’s popularity has declined in recent years.
Portland Meadows, which opened in 1946, was an iconic track just outside of Portland, but it closed its doors for good in 2020.
Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal in Oregon, but it’s extremely limited.
There is one operator that is licensed through the Oregon Lottery that is available statewide. The other regulated site is only available on the premises of Spirit Mountain Casino.
In-state options for regulated sports betting are sparse in Oregon. If you’re looking for more action, you’ll have to try offshore sportsbooks.
Bingo Halls and Charitable Gambling
Bingo is popular in Oregon, and you’ll find the game offered at the major casinos, bars, and smaller venues. Raffles and charitable gambling are also legal.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gaming is legal in Oregon. In 1973, state lawmakers passed a “social gaming statute“ to allow nonprofits and private clubs to host games.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
Oregon has a unique approach to poker. Thanks to the social gaming statute, the game is more available than in other states.
Poker doesn’t take place in casinos in Oregon. Instead, it occurs in special poker clubs that charge a cover free.
The best thing for poker players in the state is that the games, besides the cover fee, are rake-free.
The law doesn’t specifically mention online poker, and there are numerous out-of-state poker sites that are available to Oregonians.
Casino Cruises
There are numerous cruise ships and riverboats that sail out of Portland and Astoria, but none of them are licensed for casinos.
Real Money Online Casino Oregon – Games You Can Play
There are many options for Oregon players who prefer to gamble online. Everything from slots to blackjack is available.
All these games are playable from mobile devices thanks to no-download software.
Online Slots
There are hundreds of different slots to play at offshore sites, and they are, by far, the most popular game in most online casinos.
Online slots have some benefits over their physical counterparts as the return-to-play (RTP) tends to be higher, and you’ll never have to wait for a machine.
Online Poker
There are several sites that Oregonians can use to play online poker.
These poker rooms offer much bigger tournaments than in-person and a more comprehensive range of stakes.
For instance, you can pay $.05/$.10 Texas Hold ’em compared to the $1/$2 minimum you tend to find in clubs.
Blackjack
Blackjack has always been one of the most popular table games and online is no exception.
Oregonians get access to a full spread of variants, including traditional blackjack, European, multi-hand, single-deck blackjack, and others.
Fortunately for bettors, online blackjack games almost always pay 3:2, which is an advantage over live play.
All nine of Oregon’s land-based casinos also offer blackjack. Spirit Mountain is arguably the premier destination, with nearly 30 tables.
They offer several variants, including Spanish 21, Six-Deck 21, Super Bonus Single-Deck, and Free Bet.
Live Dealer Games
Games with live dealers are a fantastic feature for players who want to avoid visiting a brick-and-mortar facility.
Livestreamed from a high-quality studio with real dealers, it feels like being in a casino. Several sites in Oregon offer the option for gamblers.
Other Available Games at Oregon Online Casinos
While slots and blackjack tend to get the lion’s share of attention in online casinos, you have plenty of other options.
You can find popular games like Keno, Bingo, and Craps. Here’s a look at some of the titles you can play.
Top Oregon Online Casino Bonuses
One of the best parts of online gambling is the huge sign-up bonuses. Here are a couple of welcome offers that are especially good for Oregonians.
Oregon Online Gambling Laws
Oregon is one of the more unusual states regarding gambling laws. It is generally pretty progressive and offers several options for bettors, but it’s also restrictive in a few areas.
Namely, casinos are only allowed on tribal land, and you won’t find them near the central city centers.
In addition, there are not a lot of options for online gambling from state-regulated entities. They’ve only allowed a single sports betting operator, which seems woefully low.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Oregon?
Yes. Online gambling is legal in the Beaver State, but technically, it is limited to sports betting and pari-mutuel betting. Oregon hasn’t yet regulated online casinos at the state level.
Offshore gambling sites are still available to residents, but they exist in a legal gray area. No one has ever gotten in trouble for playing in out-of-state casinos.
It’s considered illegal for OR businesses to accept specific forms of payment for online gambling purposes.
Possession of a Gambling Device
It’s illegal to own, manufacture, sell, transport, or negotiate with a gaming device in Oregon, according to Statute 167.147.
Possession of a gambling device is a Class A misdemeanor, which can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and/or potential jail time.
Oregon Revised Statutes 167.147: Possession of a Gambling Device
Betting on Horse Racing
Oregon was the first state to legalize online betting on horse races back in the late 90s.
These take place using Advanced Deposit Wagering, which requires gamblers to deposit funds before they are able to place bets.
There are 13 different companies licensed to offer horse racing betting in the Beaver State.
There was a provision carved out to allow online betting on horse racing as long as it’s licensed by the Oregon Racing Commission:
Internet gambling and Liability of certain entities do not apply to activities licensed and regulated by the Oregon Racing Commission. [2001 c.502 §5]
Local Authorization of Social Games
Unlike many states, Oregon has a specific law that permits social games. Section 167.121 of the Revised Statutes states:
Counties and cities may, by ordinance, authorize the playing or conducting of a social game in a private business, private club, or in a place of public accommodation.
That’s why poker clubs can operate across the state while they are resigned to casinos in most other states.
*Please be advised that the information provided on this page does not constitute legal advice. Our team strongly recommends you seek professional counsel from a qualified attorney regarding your specific questions or concerns on the topic.
Oregon Gambling vs. Neighboring States
The West Coast is not particularly good for online gambling. Oregon stands out as one of the better states for internet wagering options.
Here’s a look at how the other states match up:
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Grey Area | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| Washington | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal |
| Idaho | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal |
| Nevada | Legal | Pending Legislation | Legal | Illegal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
| California | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal |
Idaho and Washington are two of the most restrictive states when it comes to online gambling of any kind.
WA is unique in that the law explicitly mentions online gambling being illegal. Idaho isn’t quite as restrictive, but it’s not great either, with very few casinos in general.
Nevada is a sharp contrast as it offers tons of online gambling options, but many of them are regulated through retail casinos, so you’ll have to sign up in person.
California is in the middle. They’ve contemplated online gaming for years, but it remains in regulatory limbo outside of fantasy sports.
Oregon Online Casino – Tips to Play Safely
There are different forms of gambling available in Oregon. Still, you should know some things before getting started.
Below are our top tips and best practices:
Play on Quality Sites
In-state online casinos are not officially regulated in Oregon. Therefore, it’s important to find an operator that offers proper certification.
The longer the site has been in operation (with no issues), the better.
Plan Ahead
If you’re looking to play at a brick-and-mortar casino, then you’re in for a drive.
All the physical casinos are located on tribal land, which tends to be outside the city centers.
For instance, you’ll have to drive at least one hour out of Portland for the first major casino. The two exceptions are poker rooms and video poker bars.
It’s one more reason to play online.
Always Play Responsibly
Gambling is inherently risky; you should never gamble more than you’re willing to lose.
That goes double if you’re enjoying one or two of Portland’s signature IPAs while playing online.
Pay Your Taxes
Remember that no matter where you play – if you rack up considerable winnings, you will have to pay taxes.
That includes online play, tribal casinos, or even the Oregon lottery. Don’t risk the IRS coming after you with an audit.
Look for High RTP on Slots
Return to Player (or RTP) is the one you want to pay attention to when it comes to online slots. The best games will return 95% or more to players.
One nice thing about playing online is that the RTP tends to be far higher than retail casinos.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in Oregon
Here are some of the pros and cons for online gamblers in the Beaver State:
Pros
- Sports betting is fully legal and regulated.
- Offshore online casinos are available.
- Licensed poker clubs are spread across the state.
- Betting on horse racing is available.
- Several high-profile tribal casinos.
Cons
- Only one online sportsbook is available.
- Retail casinos are limited compared to Vegas.
- No in-state regulated online casinos.
The Future of Online Gambling in Oregon: Our Prediction
Oregon is an interesting state. They have embraced some forms of gambling – such as sports betting, horse racing, and poker clubs – but remain lukewarm on online casinos.
It’s hard to say what the future has in store for Oregon gamblers. A great first step for Oregon would be opening up the online sports betting market to more operators.
Fully regulated online casinos remain a pipedream for Oregonians at this point, but out-of-state online casinos still serve the market.
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Answers to Our Readers’ FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions we get about gambling in the Beaver State:
How will my gambling winnings be taxed in Oregon?
Is there any risk of being prosecuted for playing at online casinos that are outside of Oregon?
Are there real money online casinos in Oregon with no deposit bonuses?
Disclaimer
As part of our commitment to transparency, it’s important to disclose that this website engages in affiliate marketing. This means that when you click on our links to online casinos and make a purchase or sign up, we may earn a commission.
These commissions contribute to the upkeep of our platform and the creation of valuable content. While we aim to provide accurate and unbiased information, it’s crucial to note that our reviews are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Additionally, we advocate for responsible gambling practices and encourage users to gamble responsibly. If you believe you may have a gambling problem, please seek assistance from relevant support services.
