Can You Play Online Poker in Oregon?

No, you cannot play online poker legally on state-regulated gambling sites in Oregon. Most forms of online gambling are illegal in the state, including Oregon online poker. This makes it impossible for poker fans to play poker legally on the Internet. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Oregon?

Unlike many other states where the law is silent on online gambling, the law in Oregon directly addresses the issue of online gambling. According to Section 167.109 of Oregon’s laws, accepting payments for unlawful gambling over the Internet is considered illegal. 

So, while Oregon is generally a poker-friendly state, the law is clear on its stance on online poker. Consequently, the state of Oregon does not grant permits to casinos to operate online poker rooms. 

The silver lining for poker fans living in Oregon is that the law doesn’t say anything directly about playing online poker. Based on this legal technicality, it is possible for residents in the state to play poker on offshore poker sites. Many of these sites, such as ACR Poker and Ignition, offer a full complement of gaming options, and they welcome registration from players in Oregon. But you are taking a big risk by doing so.

MyPokerCoaching does not recommend patronizing these sites. This is because these sites are unregulated in the United States, and there’s no full guarantee that they can protect a player’s money or provide full transparency and fair play in their operations. 

Many offshore sites also have problems with the payment process, and players have reported being unable to process their payouts. Offshore sites may also get shut down unexpectedly, with no hope of recovering your money if they do. These factors make it unsafe to play poker on these sites, even though it is legally safe to do so. 

Potential Oregon Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in Oregon for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in OR will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in OR, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker Oregon

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker OR will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars Oregon

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, OR is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Oregon would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP Oregon

The third OR poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.