Over the past few years, sports betting has opened up in the US, with states across the country being given the green light to launch their own regulated gambling markets. This decision came directly from the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2018 that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was unconstitutional.
Previously, this act had ruled that states weren’t permitted to allow sports wagering in any capacity, although there were a few exceptions. OR was among those exceptions, with betting having been previously allowed on the NFL between 1989 and 2007. However, the change in law has allowed the state to fully legalize sporting bets, including those made over the internet.
Since this ruling, many states, including Oregon, have moved to legalize and regulate sports betting, allowing residents and visitors to place bets on the biggest sporting events from around the world. The Beaver State voted to legalize sports betting in August 2019, with the first retail sportsbooks appearing in the state not long after. While real money wagering on sporting events is now regulated, there are still lots of rules regarding the overall gambling market. Find out the details below.
Which Forms of Betting Are Allowed in Oregon?
Oregon used to allow betting on the NFL through its state lottery, which was known as Sports Action. Players could choose between four and fourteen games each week and had to guess the correct team based on a point spread to win real cash. Although PASPA made this illegal, it still continued until 2007.
In 2019, OR joined a growing number of states in legalizing sportsbooks once more, setting up their own regulated betting market, including mobile sportsbooks. The first legal bet was made in September of that year, while the first online sportsbook launched shortly after. Although wagering is allowed in OR, online casinos and poker sites still aren’t permitted. The state does offer multiple tribal casinos as well as licensed poker clubs, however.
Betting Restrictions in Oregon
The Oregon State Lottery controls all gambling in Beaver State. So far, the state has only allowed its own sportsbook service to launch, so operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel haven’t been able to go live. This means the only option OR residents have so far is the Scoreboard betting site, which is also available as an app and was developed in conjunction with SBTech.
Only those who are at least 21 years old are able to place real money wagers, whether in person or online. In addition, internet gambling sites require users to prove their location before they can bet.
Oregon Online Gambling FAQ
Are Online Sportsbooks Legal in Oregon?
Yes, online sportsbooks are now legal in OR, with residents and visitors now able to sign up and bet real money on professional and college sports.
Are Online Casinos Legal in Oregon?
No, online casinos aren’t currently legal, and it doesn’t look like there are any plans to change that.
Are Poker Sites Legal in Oregon?
Online poker isn’t legal in OR right now, but players can enjoy lots of licensed poker clubs..
Sources:
- https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2019/10/oregon-lottery-scoreboard-app-beginners-guide-to-sports-betting-understanding-odds-lines-bet-types-and-more.html
- https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/government-and-politics/2018-05-14/oregon-had-sports-betting-permission-before-supreme-court-ruling
- https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/oregon-lottery-launches-scoreboard-sports-betting-app/283-2a2b01de-384f-498c-8c28-649b0720b101