gambling in oregon

Overview

Some people automatically think about casinos when they think of gambling.  But did you know that gambling in Oregon is so popular that Oregon is only second in the United States to Nevada? 

Here are some of the most common types of gambling in Oregon:

• "Traditional" lottery games (including scratch-off tickets, PowerBall, Keno, etc.)

• Video lottery (video poker, video slots)

• Casino gaming

• "Social gaming" (at card houses, etc.)

• Bingo

• Sports bets

• Horse racing

• Online gambling

• Office pools

• Poker or other card games

• Bets with friends

• Video games

 Minimum Legal Ages to Gamble in Oregon

18:

• Traditional Lottery games (e.g., Scratch-it's, Breakopens, Powerball)
• Charitable gaming
• Social gaming (by local ordinance only--minimum age not specified in state statutes)
• Pari-mutuel betting (e.g., race track)

21:

• Video lottery (includes video poker, video slots)
• Tribal casino gaming

[back to top]

What this Means for Oregon

Recent increases in availability and prevalence of gambling have prompted researchers, legislators and communities to question the effects of gambling in our society. There is a good deal of evidence that expanding legalized gambling increases the prevalence of problem gambling.  

It is important to remember that most Oregonians gamble at some point in their lives, and most don't have problems with gambling. However, gambling becomes a serious problem for some people, invading social, financial, professional, and other aspects of life.

A study of over 1,500 adults statewide showed that about 75,000 of Oregonian adults (2.7%) meet the criteria for being current problem or pathological gamblers (Moore, 2006).  An additional 10,000 teens meet the criteria for problem or pathological gambling, according to a study of 1,000 youth aged 13-17 (Carlson & Moore, 1998).

Effective prevention and treatment programs are seen as the most cost-effective ways of helping to mitigate the harm caused by gambling. In Oregon, the Lottery pays one percent of its net proceeds toward problem gambling services, including helpline, treatment, awareness, and prevention.  For more information, please feel free to contact our program.

[back to top] | [references cited]