Oregon is known for its jaw-dropping coastline and its diversity of landscapes. From Astoria to Ashland and Cannon Beach, the Beaver State is rich in marvelous places to visit. Iit boasts a vibrant sports culture that, some decades ago, spurred the creation of one of the most iconic sports-related companies in the world—Nike, which is headquartered in Beaverton in the Portland metropolitan area.
In 2018, after the Supreme Court struck down a law that prevented sports betting and gave states the power to enact their own legislation on the matter, Oregon promptly reacted. In 2019, the state’s government opted to legalize sports betting, although initially, it didn’t grant any external licenses to private companies. All wagering activity was controlled by the Oregon State Lottery, and bets were placed through its partner, Scoreboard Sportsbook.
The landscape has been gradually changing. In 2022, DraftKings started operating as the only online sportsbook in the state–a privilege that it also enjoys in New Hampshire–and the move gave a much-needed boost to Oregon sports bettors.
The table below briefs you on some basic facts related to Oregon sports betting so that you can be aware of the current state of sportsbooks in the state.
| Official Launch Date (Online) | October 2019 (run by Oregon State Lottery) January 18, 2022 (transition to DraftKings) |
| Official Launch Date (Retail) | August 27, 2019 |
| Active Online Betting Sites | DraftKings |
| Tax Rate | For bettors: Winnings of $1,500 or more are taxed at 8% by the state Winnings of $5,000 or more are taxed at 24% by the federal government |
| Betting on College Sports | Online betting on college sports is not allowed. Wagers can be placed in person at any authorized Oregon retail sportsbook |
| Total Licenses (Mobile Sports Betting) | 1 |
| Legal Age for Sports Betting | 21+ |
| Retail Sportsbooks | Several tribal licensed casinos, such as: Three Rivers Casino (Florence) Spirit Mountain Casino (Grand Ronde) The Mill Casino & Hotel (North Bend) |
Compared to many other states where numerous licenses were granted, the online sports betting market in Oregon is pretty much a monopoly. This leads to fewer developments and updates. However, we remain committed to sharing the latest news surrounding any state where sports betting is legal in the United States, so stay tuned!
As of now, some legislators have been vying to get Senate Bill 1503 approved. The intention of this is to legalize online betting on college sports. As of now, wagers on collegiate teams and athletes are only permitted in person at any of the tribal casinos.
The regulatory environment around sports betting in Oregon has numerous particularities.
The first of them is that all online sports betting is done through the Oregon State Lottery. Therefore, there is no competition. For some time, the Oregon State Lottery took bets through the Scoreboard Sportsbook app, which eventually earned a bad reputation due to its poor functionality. This prompted the state to look for partners, and it eventually forged an alliance with DraftKings, which took over Scoreboard’s operations and became the sole online sports betting house with legal permission to run in the state.
In addition to betting on DraftKings, sports bettors in Oregon are also allowed to place in-person bets at any brick-and-mortar sportsbook. Retail locations can be found at some tribal casinos, such as Three Rivers Casino in Florence, Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, and The Mill Casino & Hotel in North Bend.
Another peculiar characteristic of Oregon’s sports betting law is that online bets on college sports are not allowed. Despite the intense passion and fanaticism that surrounds collegiate sports, especially football, bettors need to drive to any physical location to be able to place a wager on their favorite college teams.
Since there is only one online sportsbook operating in Oregon–DraftKings–there are no bonuses or promotions that we are aware of. Bonuses and promotions are a popular way to attract new bettors, and sportsbooks generally do this in markets where there is bustling competition. It’s no surprise DraftKings’ bonus bets welcome offer is void in Oregon and New Hampshire, the two states where it enjoys a monopoly.
However, we highly encourage you to keep consulting our guide, as we will update you in case there are any promotions available for Oregon bettors.
Similarly, once you are logged in to your DraftKings account, navigate to your Promotions tab, where you will be able to see the latest incentives that the sportsbook has for you.
Taxation is another issue in which the Oregon sports betting market has some quirks.
For example, retail sports betting revenue is not taxed, since the state does not have the legal authority to collect taxes from tribal casinos.
When it comes to bettors and their winnings from placed wagers, the state levies an 8% tax when the winnings are $1,500 or more. If you earned $5,000 or more from your bets, you can also expect to pay a 24% federal tax.
In December 2019, Boston-based DraftKings, one of the most popular sportsbooks in the United States, acquired SBTech, a technology firm that was working with Scoreboard Sportsbook in Oregon.
For a while, Scoreboard Sportsbook–through the Oregon State Lottery–was the only app bettors could use to place wagers in the state, and complaints were rampant about the subpar experience offered by the platform. Therefore, Oregon decided to take advantage of this new partnership and forge an alliance with DraftKings Sportsbook.
As a result, DraftKings became the only company authorized to take bets in the state. The transition was completed on January 18th, 2022, and DraftKings has been live since then.
The move has proved favorable for Oregon sports bettors. Compared to the paltry service provided by Scoreboard, DraftKings is a popular brand that has gained wide acclaim due to its extensive variety of betting markets, vast league coverage, live betting options, competitive odds, and other features. Its app is highly rated in both the App Store and Google Play store, with users citing its streamlined navigation process and user-friendliness as its most desirable characteristics.
If you are eager to kickstart your path as an Oregon sports bettor, here is a step-by-step guide to help you do so.
Betting is legal in Oregon. Now what? You’re poised to join your favorite sportsbook and start wagering on the Portland Trail Blazers, the Portland Timbers, or to travel to a brick-and-mortar location and place a bet on the “Civil War” game between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. But before that, there are several things that you need to take into consideration.
The first one is to understand the importance of research and analysis. If you are looking at the dashboard for the first time, and some teams have very high odds, it can be easy to want to jump in right away. But do you know, realistically, the chances that that team has of winning? At Lines, we strongly advise that you do your homework and assign teams your own probabilities. This will lead you to one of our favorite strategies, which is value betting. In a nutshell, there is value in a bet when your estimated probability of an outcome is higher than the sportsbook’s probability.
Another recommendation is to stick to sports you know. A mistake many bettors make is placing wagers on sports they know little to nothing about. This can lead to further problems, such as doubling down on your bets to make up for losses. To prevent this, manage your bankroll and set limits. In Oregon, through BetBlocker, DraftKings offers you the ability to set deposit limits and play limits. Make sure you are only betting what you can afford to lose, as otherwise, you could compromise your personal financial situation.
Betting is a long-term game. There will be days we inevitably lose. We must accept those losses and move on, instead of trying to make up for them with a rushed and poorly-analyzed wager. We highly recommend keeping track of your statistics in order to analyze your profitability as a bettor and change or adapt your strategies accordingly.
Also, take advantage of all the bonuses and promotions that DraftKings has to offer.
All licensing for online sports betting in Oregon is done through the Oregon State Lottery. In 2022, the OSL decided to partner with DraftKings, granting it approval to take bets in the state. Since then, DraftKings has been the only online sportsbook available for Oregon bettors.
Founded in 2012 by fantasy sports players Jason Robins, Matthew Kalish, and Paul Liberman in Boston, Massachusetts, DraftKings started as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) provider. In 2018, following the Supreme Court’s reversal of PASPA, DraftKings entered the sports betting space.
Since then, DraftKings has become one of the most popular and widely-used sportsbooks in the United States. Backed by legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, the platform boasts features like an extensive live betting section, same game parlays, and an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
Interestingly, since DraftKings became the sole online sportsbook in Oregon in 2022, it stopped offering DFS contests in the state. According to the company, this was a sign of “good faith” to prevent any conflict of interest due to its exclusive partnership with the Oregon State Lottery. Learn more about DraftKings here.
Even though there is no specific legislation regulating DFS in Oregon, it is widely offered in the state. DFS is considered a skill contest, rendering it exempt from any gambling-related regulations.
As mentioned, DFS titan DraftKings does not offer contests in Oregon, a decision the company made to avoid a conflict of interest since it has a monopoly in the online sports betting industry in the state.
However, DFS enthusiasts can participate in exciting contests through FanDuel, Underdog Fantasy, and more.
Even if there are not that many professional teams in the state, Oregon is home to a vibrant and energetic sports community. This passion is largely fueled by the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, as the teams from these schools have devoted and proud fan communities. Between that, and the fact that many neighboring states are limited in their sports betting offerings, Oregon intends to position itself as a prime hub for wagering activity on the Pacific Coast.
Founded in 1970 as a league expansion team, the Portland Trail Blazers quickly made their mark in the NBA. Seven years after the team’s creation, in 1977, the Trail Blazers won the NBA championship, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. It remains their only title, although they did win the Conference championship in 1990 and 1992. The franchise has seen many storied players pass through its lineup, including stars like Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and LaMarcus Aldridge. Other icons include Damon Stoudamire, Arvydas Sabonis, and most recently, Damian Lillard.
In 2011, the Portland Timbers joined Major League Soccer as an expansion franchise. It didn’t take long for the Timbers to attain success and boost soccer’s popularity in the state of Oregon. In 2015, led by Argentine playmaker Diego Valeri, Colombian forward Dairon Asprilla, and Costa Rican winger Rodney Wallace, the Portland Timbers won the MLS Cup. Since then, the team has been one of the top performers in the league, reaching the finals in 2018 and 2021, and winning the MLS is Back tournament in 2020 following the season’s suspension due to the COVID pandemic. The team has a strong rivalry with the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps, with the three squads competing for the Cascadia Cup, which is awarded every year to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest.
Every time that the Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers play, the state of Oregon stops. It is one of the top sporting events of the year for many Oregonians, and even though the rivalry extends across multiple sports, football takes center stage. Throughout history, there have been so many epic clashes between these two squads. One of them was the infamous “Toilet Bowl,” which ended in a 0-0 tie. It was a fiercely defensive match, however, other duels have been extremely high-scoring and exciting. The rivalry has been coined “The Civil War.”
Unsurprisingly, college sports are the main driver of Oregon sports betting. However, as an Oregon bettor, you do need to be aware that the only way to place bets on college teams is by going in person to one of Oregon’s physical sportsbooks, as online betting is not permitted on college sports.
BetMGM is one of the most popular sports betting apps in the United States, and even though it does not have a presence in Oregon–due to the state’s exclusivity agreement with DraftKings–BetMGM does have a presence in the retail market, bringing the Las Vegas experience to the state. Boasting 15 plasma screen TVs, a state-of-the-art betting area, and multiple promotional events throughout the year, the BetMGM Sportsbook at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde is a good place to wager on your favorite teams and enjoy the live action.
Located in Florence, the Three Rivers Casino Resort has the largest sports betting screen in Oregon. Strategically located next to the casino’s sports bar and food court, the sportsbook features a 200-square-foot LED wall, 32 seats, and six betting kiosks. It also has plenty of comfortable seating, offering players the opportunity to watch their favorite games there.
The Mill Casino was the first casino in southern Oregon to offer sports betting. Located in Coos Bay, the casino permits bettors to place their wagers at any of their kiosks, while at the same time enjoying a meal or a drink at the sports bar Warehouse 101. The sportsbook has extensive betting market coverage, including college sports and the major professional leagues and tournaments. Players can watch the games on any of the 18 TV screens.
When it comes to sports betting, Oregon is located in a unique physical geography. To the north, Washington does not allow online betting. While wagers are legal at physical sportsbooks, many Washington residents would prefer the convenience of betting from their homes. Idaho–Oregon’s neighboring state to the east–forbids sports betting, and the same goes for California.
The only state surrounding Oregon that permits sports betting is Nevada. Therefore, Oregon is in a unique position to capitalize on attracting visitors from neighboring states that would like to place wagers but are not allowed to because of the legal regulations in their jurisdiction.
As of now, bettors in Oregon can make a deposit to their DraftKings account through the following:
The payment method you use needs to be under your name.
For withdrawals, DraftKings can pay out through online banking, VIP Preferred (eCheck), PayPal, Debit Card, or through check (depending on the amount). To see the estimated processing times and withdrawal limits per method, go to this guide.
Sports betting is legal in Oregon, but that doesn’t mean that it is legal to place a bet on any sportsbook. Through strategically-placed digital advertisements, lucrative bonuses, and misleading campaigns, offshore sportsbooks like Bovada, BetAdrian, MyBookie, and Zenit have targeted Oregon bettors.
The main issue with these sportsbooks is that if an incident happens, like the bookmaker refusing to pay your winnings or closing your account because you have placed too many successful bets, the legal authorities in Oregon will not be able to assist you. The state of Oregon has not given them a license to operate, and as such, there is no legal recourse that can work in your favor.
Because of this, we strongly advise avoiding sportsbooks that are not officially recognized in the state. The only bookmaker with legal authorization in Oregon is DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Oregon sports betting market is one with many particularities. There is only one sportsbook authorized to operate online, which is DraftKings. Similarly, the state has placed restrictions on college sports. Bettors who are interested in wagering on their favorite college teams–including the University of Oregon and Oregon State University–will need to visit a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
It will be interesting to see how the Oregon sports betting landscape evolves. Other brands are starting to have a presence–like BetMGM through a physical sportsbook–and the state has a vibrant fan base. Sports is something that is firmly embedded in the culture of the Beaver State, so we can expect to see more excitement as time goes on. For more updates, stay tuned. Your journey to success as an Oregon sports bettor starts here, at Lines.com.
The Supreme Court granted state-level legislatures the freedom to decide to allow sportsbooks to operate in their state when it repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) on May 14th, 2018.
Since then, sports betting has gradually gained acceptance, and leading sportsbooks have been granted approval to take bets in a growing number of states.
As of now, this is how the sports betting landscape looks in terms of legality.
| State | Online | Retail |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | No | Yes |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Yes (Launching September 28, 2023) | Yes (Launching September 7, 2023) |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes |
| Maine | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | No | Yes |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes |
| New York | Yes | Yes |
| North Carolina | Yes (Launch expected 2024) | Yes |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes |
| Puerto Rico | Yes | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes |
| Tennessee | Yes | No |
| Vermont | Yes (Launch expected 2023-2024) | No |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Washington | No | Yes |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | No | Yes |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes |
As lawmakers introduce new bills to eliminate the bans on sports betting in their respective states, the landscape is expected to keep changing, and we foresee that more states will gradually permit their residents to place wagers both in person and online.
To stay on top of the sports betting news, check out this guide we have created for you. We are constantly updating it so that you can have the latest information. To see how new ballot initiatives are progressing, visit the American Gaming Association’s website.
The state of Oregon was a pioneer in legalizing sports betting, and as such, it has spearheaded responsible gaming programs that protect its residents.
The main organization in charge of ensuring that gaming is conducted responsibly is the Oregon Health Authority, also known as the OHA. Within the institution, there is a division that actively works to prevent gaming from causing negative consequences through education, prevention, and treatment programs.
Oregon considers gambling-related disorders a public health issue, and because of this, the government has developed several initiatives to assist anyone who needs support. These mechanisms include deposit and spending limits, as well as the ability to take a timeout and to voluntarily exclude oneself from any sports betting platform.
To sign up, visit Oregon’s Lottery website or call 1-877-695-4648.
Other organizations that provide support include the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource, which provides free access to addiction counselors, and Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step support group.
There are nationwide initiatives designed to assist people who show signs of a gaming-related problem. If you or anyone you know needs help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Yes, you can place wagers both in person and online.
Yes, DraftKings is the only online sportsbook authorized to operate in Oregon.
Yes, sports betting became legal in Oregon in August 2019.
To be able to place a bet in Oregon, you need to be 21 years of age or older.
In Oregon, betting on college sports is allowed at retail sportsbooks only. No wagers on college teams or athletes can be placed online.
If you win $1,500 or more, your earnings will be taxed at 8% by the state of Oregon. In addition to that, if you win over $5,000, you are subject to a 24% federal tax.
