Published
Land-BasedCasinoLegal & Regulatory

Oregon tribes unhappy with state's gambling regulations

Six tribal nations have called on Governor Kate Brown and other Oregon political leaders to launch a careful review of Travis Boerma’s plan to open a gambling entertainment centre in Grants Pass.

oregontribes

Their argument is that the Flying Lark the Dutch Bros Founder has planned would completely change gambling in Oregon with little formal review. Since the Flying Lark will be the first casino allowed off tribal lands, it will lure business away from tribal casinos and the Oregon State Lottery, and it could open the path to more gambling venues at other tracks in the state.

Boersma is expected to submit his application to state regulators, to build the entertainment centre adjacent to his Grants Pass Downs horse racetrack. The building’s centrepiece will consist of gambling terminals, similar to slot machines but which will instead allow players to bet on horseraces.

Horseracing is a sport of little interest in Oregon; the state’s only commercial racing track shut down in 2019 and most of the track operators in the country have augmented their races with casino-like gambling venues adjacent to tracks. However, Boersma has argued his operation won’t work without revenue from the Flying Lark and has conducted a study that found the two venues would generate over $10.7bn in spending over 30 years of operation.

Casino-style gambling is normally allowed only on tribal lands, horse tracks being the only exception to that law.

Several track operators got clearance to build large casinos and, in the states where casinos are restricted, the industry has developed certain “historic horseracing” machines that helped locations qualify for the exception granted by track owners.

Nevertheless, critics argue that the machines have evolved to the point that any correlation to a horserace is hard to find.

Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Chicken Ranch Casino
The Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association (RGAA)
Catena Media
Gambling Commission
Follow Us
The most prestigious Awards in the industry are heading to the Philippines! The Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific will recognise and reward (as the name suggests) the strongest performers from the Asia-Pacific gaming industry across the previous 12 months.
This year's winners will be announced at a luncheon ceremony on Day 2 of SiGMA Asia, 4th June, in Manila.
The eleventh annual Global Gaming Awards Americas will recognize and reward the gaming industry's strongest performers across the previous 12 months. These are the most prestigious and trusted Awards in the industry and have gained respect amongst industry heavyweights, due to the strict rules and procedures put in place.

Facing Facts: Operator Q3s from across the globe

Gambling Insider compares Q3 2023 results from major gamblin...

Taking Stock: Operators and suppliers across the world

Sticking with our theme of gambling across the globe, Gambli...

CEO Special: Jade Entertainment and Gaming CEO Joe Pisano - down to earth

Jade Entertainment and Gaming CEO Joe Pisano speaks to Gambl...

CEO Special: Betfred CEO Joanne Whittaker - saying it as it is

Betfred CEO Joanne Whittaker joins Gambling Insider Editor T...