Oregon Gambling Bill Could Outlaw Private Poker Clubs
The private poker club debate in Portland gained intensity when a lawmaker declared that they are all illegal and players retorted that they make a great place for them to play poker and socialize.
Speaking at a session held to discuss House Bill 3518, which has the power to shut down all private poker clubs in the state, Representative Julie Parrish said: “The majority of poker operations in Oregon are operating outside of social gaming statutes.” Further explaining her statement, Parrish said that these private poker clubs charge entrance fees and allow dealers to accept tips, besides permitting a number of other activities forbidden by law. She declared that the owners of these clubs are guilty of felony and that players visiting these clubs are guilty of misdemeanor.
Agreeing with her, Oregon Department of Justice Legislative Director Aaron Knott, said that private poker clubs cannot make any profit from the game although they can generate revenue selling food and drink. He said: “They cannot act as banker, handle chips, cash you in or out. We believe that’s the current state of the law.”
Stating that private poker clubs are definitely generating revenue from illegal poker gaming, Parrish said that activities forbidden by law are commonplace in private poker clubs.
When questioned by House Rules Committee Chairman Chris Garrett, Knott admitted that the laws are “ambiguous.” They permit counties and cities to license private poker clubs and create their own regulations as long as they do not violate state laws. A representative of private poker clubs said that private poker club owners do everything in their power to comply with state laws.
Geoff Sugerman, who takes part in live poker tournaments held in private poker clubs, said: “The folks are not felons. They have never been raided, shut down, or even cited.” According to Sugerman, Oregon’s social gambling laws have become outdated as they were created in the early seventies. Stating that the state needs to upgrade its laws, he complained that, instead of doing so, the state is trying to penalize owners of small businesses. He said: “We should be applauding and helping their entrepreneurial spirit, not trying to shut them down.”
Agreeing with Sugerman, a number of live poker players says declared that the private poker clubs ran friendly poker games in a safe environment. Poker enthusiast Cliff Vetter said that these “clubs are not scofflaw, outlaw organizations.”
If Parrish’s bill is passed, all private social poker clubs in Oregon will be outlawed and only charitable, religious, and fraternal organizations will be permitted to run charity poker games.
Tom Rask, acting as the representative of card rooms in La Center, said that his clients have expressed concern about the mushrooming of private poker clubs in Portland. He added: “What you have now are illegal gaming facilities, straightforward, no question about it.”
Two other representatives of card rooms in La Center have expressed their support of Parrish’s bill, along with several bingo hall operators in Portland. However, it is too early to say if the bill will be passed.
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