Oregon Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming in Oregon includes bingo, raffles, casino nights and poker games. Charitable gaming is regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ).

Tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations are required to register with the ODOJ under Oregon's Charitable Trust and Corporations Act. Religious organizations and corporations organized in Oregon as mutual-benefit, nonprofit corporations are not required to register. All nonprofit organizations wishing to operate charity games must apply for a license, with three exceptions: nonprofit organizations operating bingo games with a handle of no more than $2,000 per session and with a total handle of no more than $5,000 per calendar year; nonprofit organizations holding raffles with a cumulative handle of no more than $10,000 per calendar year; and nonprofit organizations holding Monte Carlo events with a handle of no more than $2,000 per Monte Carlo event and a total handle of no more than $5,000 per calendar year. License fees range from $20 to $100 depending upon the type of game and expected handle. All licensees are required to file annual reports to the ODOJ.

Bingo and raffle tickets can be bought by a person younger than 18 if a parent or legal guardian is present. No person younger than 18 is permitted to participate in a Monte Carlo night.

In March 2005, the legislature passed a bill that allows Texas Hold'em to be played at charitable casino nights.