Oregon Lottery Again Claims Portland Poker Room Is Illegal Because Of 'Door Fee'Portland Meadows Reportedly Will Fight For Its Poker Room |
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The lottery is pure luck, but the Oregon Lottery has an issue with poker, a game of skill.
Per a report from the Willamette Week, state lottery officials have issued a ruling declaring that the Portland Meadows racetrack in Portland is violating state gambling laws by offering poker games. The racetrack is operated by Oregon Racing, Inc.
The ruling was issued late last month.
The regulatory atmosphere surrounding poker in Oregon is complicated. City officials in Portland have said OK to the poker games, while state officials are crying foul.
Specifically, the Oregon Lottery said that the “door fee” to get into the poker room constitutes “house income” and thus makes the games illegal.
“The on-site poker games constitute illegal gambling,” said the lotto.
Officials also claim that the room is acting as an illegal “house bank” by “holding player money.”
As a result of the dispute, the Oregon Lottery decided to revoke Portland Meadows’ lucrative contract for VLTs (video lottery terminals). Those machines generated $1.8 million in revenue at the racetrack in 2016. Portland Meadows reportedly will take the case to the Oregon Court of Appeals and apparently fight for its 22 poker tables.
The vibrant Portland poker scene, home to about 10 rooms, argues collectively that the cover fees don’t count as income derived from operation of the poker games. They also make money from food and beverage sales.
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