#Oregon Racing Commission

Legislative leaders created a Joint Committee on Gambling Regulation to review the existing policies and structures that regulate state-sanctioned gambling in Oregon.

The Constitution prohibits casinos and lotteries except for one run by the state. Travis Boersma wants to install 225 historic horse racing machines near his horse track in Grants Pass. The Justice Department says the machines are closer to a lottery than parimutuel betting. Boer's company tried to force the commission to hasten its decision. Six of Oregon's recognized tribes organized against Boar's proposed Flying Lark resort. The commission allowed a now-defunct race track, Portland Meadows, to installed 150 historic horses racing machine in 2015.

Oregon Attorney General's office finds that The Flying Lark's proposed gaming machines would constitute an illegal casino. The opinion was issued at the request of Jack McGrail, executive director of the Oregon Racing Commission. Tribal criticism has been that the FlyingLark will essentially turn it into a casino under the constitution. The HHRs are games of chance that do not afford players any meaningful opportunity to exercise skill. Lotteries are constitutionally prohibited in Oregon unless they are run by the State Lottery. Supporters of The Larks say that losing the Hhrs would hurt the local economy.

Tribes from Oregon are backing two new House bills to examine and shut down private casinos across the state. The filings come amid the Flying Lark’s pending Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machine application. Its the final approval needed for the new Grants Pass location to open up. The tribes allege the machines would violate the constitution. No legislators have signed on to the bills. It remains a developing story. More details will be released as they emerge.    “Gaming technology has advanced rapidly. We are seeing it with the [Flying Larks] attempted expansion of private gambling within the State”