{"id":4501,"date":"2021-04-08T12:18:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T12:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/news\/?p=4501"},"modified":"2021-04-08T12:18:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T12:18:03","slug":"portland-meadows-poker-door-fee-violated-oregons-gambling-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/news\/portland-meadows-poker-door-fee-violated-oregons-gambling-laws","title":{"rendered":"Portland Meadows Poker “Door Fee” Violated Oregon’s Gambling Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"
Over 20 poker clubs in Oregon<\/a> are now at risk of being closed after the state\u2019s Court of Appeals upheld a 2018 ruling stating that a non-tribal poker room violated Oregon\u2019s gaming laws. <\/p>\n The legal battle dates back to 2017 when the Oregon Lottery launched an investigation into Oregon Racing Inc\u2019s poker operations at the Portland Meadows racetrack<\/a>. The Oregon Lottery, which supervises gaming operations in the state, initially ruled in 2018 that Oregon Racing\u2019s running of poker games<\/a> was illegal. <\/p>\n Oregon Racing generated \u201chouse income<\/em>\u201d from poker games by charging a $15 entry fee to its poker customers. It was also found out that the poker room exchanged chips for money. Both of these were in violation of Oregon\u2019s gaming laws. The primary judgment ordered Oregon Racing and Portland Meadows to cease their operations. <\/p>\n Oregon Racing appealed the decision, maintaining that it was operating a \u201csocial game<\/em>\u201d and therefore was entitled for legal protection. The poker room and racetrack eventually closed in December 2019 while the appeal was pending. The establishment was later demolished in February 2020. The Portland Meadows racetrack operated for 73 long years, and was among the oldest racetracks in the state.<\/p>\n The Court of Appeals has now sided with the Oregon Lottery, affirming that Oregon Racing indeed operated illegally by charging a door fee and taking cash for chips. <\/p>\n The three members of the appeals court unanimously agreed that Oregon Racing was operating as a gambling enterprise and therefore violated the law. The $15 door fee constituted a \u201chouse income<\/em>\u201c, and the holding of cash in exchange for chips meant that Oregon Racing also served as a \u201cbank<\/em>\u201c. <\/p>\n A statutory amendment in 1974 prohibits any entity to collect a house income from the operation of a social game<\/a>, presiding judge Erin Lagesen<\/strong> noted. The prohibition also applies to any other revenue streams including food and beverage sales, parking fees as well as taking on the role of a \u201chouse bank<\/em>\u201c.<\/p>\nAppellate Court Upholds Initial Ruling<\/h2>\n
Oregon Poker Clubs Under Threat<\/h2>\n