Oregon Race Wagering

Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing began in Oregon in 1931. The Oregon Racing Commission was established in 1933 by the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act and is responsible for regulation of the racing industry. Simulcast betting, ontrack betting, and online and telephone advance deposit wagering are available in the state.

Greyhound racing was held from 1933 to 1955 at Multnomah Stadium and then at Multnomah Greyhound Park, until it closed in December 2004 due to declining popularity.

In 1997, Oregon was one of the first states to legally accept electronic wagers from out-of-state bettors on horse and dog races.

Portland Meadows, formerly the only commercial thoroughbred racetrack in Oregon, held its final race meet on February 5, 2019, and permanently closed when owner The Stronach Group filed a permit application to redevelop the 64-acre site. As of mid-2026, Oregon has no commercial thoroughbred racetrack in operation. Pari-mutuel wagering in the state is sustained by multi-jurisdictional hubs and offtrack betting facilities.

On 23 May 2013, the Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill allowing Portland Meadows to operate instant racing devices on its premises. These electronic machines are similar to slots, but bets are placed on videos of past races, with horse names withheld to conceal the winner from the bettors. Similar to live horse racing, bets are pooled against other players rather than against the house. Track officials are hoping the electronic machines will draw a younger crowd to the track.

In May 2025, Caesars Sportsbook partnered with the Coquille Indian Tribe to launch retail and online sports betting at The Mill Casino in Coos Bay, marking Caesars’ first entry into the Oregon market.