A bill being debated in the Oregon legislature would make it very hard for the state’s poker rooms to operate.
One proposed amendment would require players to self-deal. One line reads: “If the game involves a dealer, the role of dealer must be assumed in turn by each player in the social game.” This would obviate the need for permanent dealers, which would slow the games down and threaten their integrity. The result might drive most poker rooms out of business.
The line is actually an attempt to water down the original bill, which would have banned card rooms entirely and only allow charitable card games, or games run by fraternal or church groups. Violations would carry $1,000 fines.
The PAC Save Oregon Poker alleges that the state’s Indian casinos are behind the legislation.
The law would affect about 200 dealers, most of them in Portland, where the largest poker room is Portland Meadows, which has 22 tables. It charges a $15 daily membership fee to play.
