Currently, sports betting in Oregon is legal but it is not completely operational yet. The repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act has resulted in some major developments in regards to sports betting returning to the state. It is believed Oregon Lottery officials are looking into the possibility of using a mobile app to launch its sports betting business as this would be the quickest way to get its product out to residents of Oregon. Matthew Shelby, a spokesperson for the Oregon Lottery, has gone on record to state that before the 2019 NFL season, the state of Oregon will be working internally to commence sports betting. In fact, sports betting is a very sure case in the state, since officials for the Oregon Lottery have already estimated that legalized sports betting in the state could generate $35.5 million of revenue in its first year, rising to more than $120 million once the industry was established.

Gambling Laws in Oregon

The legalization of sports betting in Oregon is not completely put in operation yet and this is something we discussed in greater detail on our dedicated Oregon gambling page. Oregon is one of 4 States (along with Nevada, Delaware and Montana) who were exempted from the Federal ban on sports-betting in 1992 due to their existing laws. You can bet on horse racing here, though not professional sports. There are facilities for remote betting and advance deposit betting over the internet or telephone for horse racing fans. The state of Oregon allows many other types of gambling, including licensed horse and dog racing (and off-track wagering on these events), Indian casinos, social gaming, and charitable gambling. Furthermore, Bona fide business contracts; contest of chance where players win prizes (not money), bingo, lotto, raffles, and Monte Carlo events sponsored by charitable organizations such as social games are also currently authorized and legal.

Most Popular Sports in Oregon

Oregon is home to three major league sports teams: the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, and the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Portland city in Oregon also hosts a wide variety of other sports and sporting events including basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball and football. Oregon also hosts college sports and amateur teams. Portland is most popularly known for hosting the Grand Prix Indycar racing and the international raceway of cycling, motocross and auto shows that attracts sports enthusiasts and fans from all over the state. In fact, the city loves their sports so much Portland has nationally renowned, sports-watching dedicated sports bars across the city, specifically catering to fans from each major sports games.

National Basketball Association – The Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) since the 1970 season. The Trail Blazers have played in three NBA Finals (1977, 1990, 1992) and have won one NBA Championship (1977). Several of the Trail Blazers’ former players are in the Basketball Hall of Fame, including Dražen Petrović, Bill Walton, Lenny Wilkens, Clyde Drexler, and Arvydas Sabonis. Furthermore, the team has retired several numbers including Terry Porter (#30), Maurice Lucas (#20), Larry Steele (#15). Did you know? In the early 2000s the team acquired the pejorative nickname “Jail Blazers” for the large numbers of Portland players who had legal troubles. But the team has been quick to rebuild its international branding and image. In the latest 2018-19 season, the Trail Blazers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, making it their first series win since the 2016 playoffs.

Major League Soccer – The Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011 after having past incarnations from 1975–82, 1985–90 and 2001–10. Other than their spectacular performances, the team is widely known for its huge enthusiastic fan base. The Portland Timbers play at Providence Park, where they average over 20,000 fans and routinely sell out matches. Interestingly, as of November 2013, the Portland Timbers had sold out the last 50 consecutive matches, and over 10,000 fans were on the wait list for season tickets. In 2012, Portland Thorns FC and the National Women’s Soccer League were officially formed, with both the team and the league beginning play in 2013. The team won their first MLS Cup in 2015 and the inaugural NWSL season in 2017, and have led the league in attendance in each of its first five seasons.

Western Hockey League –Portland Winterhawks

The Portland Winterhawks are a junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). They are one of the most successful teams in terms of producing National Hockey League (NHL) alumni, a list that includes Sven Baertschi, Joe Morrow, Ryan Johansen, Braydon Coburn, Adam Deadmarsh, Rob Klinkhammer, Brandon Dubinsky, Tyler Wotherspoon and Andrew Ference. The Portland Winterhawks have won the Ed Chynoweth Cup three times and the Memorial Cup twice in five appearances (1982, 1983, 1986, 1998, and 2013). The Portland Winterhawks are considered pioneers of promotion and are credited with the invention of the “Dash for Cash”, in which contestants are picked to run onto the ice and try to scoop up as many silver dollars in two minutes as they can. This popular promotion has been running for many years. Moreover, every year in late November or early December, the team holds their annual teddy bear toss, in which fans throw teddy bears on the ice at the first Portland goal, which are then donated to local children’s charities.

National Women’s Soccer League –Portland Thorns FC

The Portland Thorns FC is a women’s football franchise from Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 2012 and since 2013, the team plays in the National Women’s Soccer League which is considered to be the highest league in women’s football in the US. Portland secured the first championship in the NWSL in 2013 and the second one in 2017. Their most recent victory was in the 2018 season when Portland reached the second place in the regular season and in the semifinals, the team won against local rivals Seattle 2-1 and reached the finals again. They are well known for having an international standing and fan base and are often participants of both foreign and global football games like the Women’s world cup.

History of Sports Betting in Oregon

The history of Oregon sports betting is long and complicated. In 1931, Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing was permitted with greyhound betting following in 1933. In 1971, Charity gambling was legalized, allowing fundraising ‘casino nights’. Bingo and raffles were added to this bill in an amendment in 1976. In 1973, Social gaming was made legal, as long as the house (or an individual) did not profit from running a game. In 1984 a bill was passed signing the Oregon State lottery into law and the ‘Oregon Lottery Commission’ was in charge of regulating the VLT (virtual lottery terminals) which are class 2 gaming machines now found at racetracks and many tribal casinos.

In 1991, VLTs were allowed into bars, where they pushed out the remaining illegally operated video poker machines. This law was later amended, increasing the number of VLTs to 6 per location. In 1992, the first tribal compacts were signed which enabled native tribes to offer class 1 and 2 games. Later 9 casinos were allowed to offer class 3 gaming, which includes table games, slots and poker card-rooms, 6 were opened in 1996. In 1997, Out of State bets on horse races and greyhounds were accepted electronically. In 2004, the last greyhound races took place after this sport lost its appeal. Lastly, in 2011, an amendment was passed making accepting money for gambling online a felony.

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in Oregon

The state imposes a minimum gambling age requirement of 21 years of age. Please keep in mind that if you see any online sportsbook games that accepts players as young as 18 years of age, this policy does not supersede or bypass state law that requires players to be 21 years of age in Oregon.

• Sports Betting Age
  The state imposes a minimum gambling age requirement of 21 years of age.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age is 21 in Oregon.
• Weed Age
  In Oregon, adults over 21 years and older can possess and use recreational marijuana

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Since there are no provisions within Oregon state gambling laws or US federal sports betting laws that prohibit residents from betting on sports online through legally sanctioned offshore sportsbooks, we’d have to say that yes, online sports betting at offshore sportsbooks is a legal form of betting entertainment for individuals in the state. We do offer a word of caution regarding which sportsbooks you consider betting at. We recommend that you remain highly selective in your choices, restricting your betting action to only those destinations that are legitimately licensed and regulated through a respected governing jurisdiction. Take a look at what the neighboring states have in stock like with California Sports Betting.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

A tax rate of 25% for federal taxes, and 8% for state income taxes upon gambling winnings is enacted.

Upcoming Regulation Changes in Oregon Sports Betting Law

Oregon is making a push to authorize legal sports betting but there are no definitive legislations or plans yet. The Oregon Lottery plans for sports betting to be legalized by 2020, but there is no set date or legislation currently available to be voted upon. Betting from mobile devices will more than likely be available once sports betting is legal as the Oregon Lottery has already planned the launch of a mobile app for its lottery customers. So sports enthusiasts, stay tuned!

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• California
• Idaho
• Nevada
• Washington