Oregon Sports Betting
Regarded as one of the forward-thinking states when it comes to gambling entertainment, Oregon has unfortunately lagged in advancing online sports betting within the area. Frequently overshadowed by the vast gambling opportunities available in neighboring Nevada, Oregon is gradually expanding its sports betting offerings to meet the increasing demand.
Top 3 Oregon Sportsbooks Online
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Oregon?
Before sports betting was officially legalized, Oregonians had little on offer until daily fantasy sports entered the market in 2017. There was a lot of debate on the similarities between daily fantasy sports and traditional sports betting, which continued until a landmark decision made in the Supreme Court on the legality of sports betting in the US.
Back in 1992, the Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was put in place which prevented states from legalizing sports betting. Aside from the state of Nevada that was grandfathered in as an exception to this law, all other states were prohibited from offering any bets related to sports.
Fast forward to May 2018 when the Supreme Court ruled PASPA as unconstitutional, which immediately paved the way for states to propose a new law to legalize and regulate sports betting. As a way to carefully regulate sports betting online and in land-based establishments, the Oregon Lottery was given full control of the market.
Why People Prefer Online Sports Betting to Traditional Sportsbooks
Every player will have a preference for placing their bets, some like to do it in person and others prefer online sports betting. To find out why more and more people are choosing to place their bets online, here are the top factors that have so many making the switch:
Convenience
Available 24-hour a day and 365 days a year, online sports betting is available from the comfort of home. Anytime players have a chance to check out live games, upcoming games, or just want to make a quick wager, they can access everything within seconds.
Once registered to a site, players are given a personal account on the site that will keep track of bets, winnings, upcoming events, and more. Located in one convenient location, players have access to tons of entertainment, and all they need is a device that connects to the internet.
Easy to Learn and Play
Online sports betting is often available on modern sites that are made for a good user-friendly experience. Even players who are new to sports betting can access tutorials to learn everything they need to know about the sports, the bets, stats, and more.
Most sites will have a comprehensive help section that will breakdown the site sections, games, wagers, and even special tournaments or offers that come up throughout the year.
One-on-One Customer Support
No matter what kind of help site members need, there is a customer support team ready to help out. Whether it is account issues, money transfer inquiries, game information, or general troubleshooting, the sports betting site will have someone who can help.
Most of the top online sports betting sites will also have special support for players who might be struggling with addiction or just need a little hand to keep track of spending on bets.
Contacting customer support is usually done through online chat, email, phone number, or online support form. Some sites will have 24-hour support, while others will offer selected hours for customer service. In either case, online sportsbooks try to answer all inquiries within a reasonable timeframe.Â
Special Member Benefits
Unlike land-based sports betting establishments, players can earn a lot of extra perks from joining a good online sports betting site. With so many options available online, and at the tips of everyone’s fingertips, sites have to stay competitive by offering bonus offers and special promotions. Not only does this keep loyal players on the site, but it also rewards players with a better chance of winning big.
The top sports betting sites will have a page dedicated to promotions and most sites will have new offers starting on a regular basis. Before signing up to a group, players should take a peek at the promotions page to see what is currently being offered This will give them an idea of what they can enjoy when they become a member.
Privacy and Security
As convenient and fun as gambling is online, many players have concerns over the security of their information and money transfers. While there are some bad sites out there, if players do their due diligence before signing up to a sports betting site, they will be in good hands.
Before joining a random online sportsbook that accepts players from the US, people should take a look at current ratings and reviews of the site. There are tons of review sites out there that will have real player reviews about everything from overall site experience, available sports, winnings, promotions, security, and even customer support.
Once on a site, take a look at the help pages or the bottom of the footer for security information. Although no site will openly disclose all security features, they will often show security badges on the site.
Oregon Lottery Sports Betting versus Offshore Sites
While sports betting is still very new in the state, the Lottery has moved forward with an app that users can download on their iOS or Android devices. The app is meant to be a quick and easy way to make wagers on popular sports, although since it first rolled out, there have been numerous issues that players have faced, and a limited selection of professional sports that users can bet on.
Sports Available from Oregon Lottery App
- American Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Boxing
- Hockey
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Mixed Martial Arts
Apart from the mobile app, there are few land-based establishments that were given the right to accept sports bets, making it inconvenient for any players that find it hard to travel to them. Although Oregon has gone in the right direction, it will still be some time before the market is fully up and running for all of the players in the state.
In contrast to what the Oregon state offers its players, online offshore sites cater to a wide range of players from all over the world. In order to stay competitive in the market and give members plenty of gambling entertainment options, the sites will often have huge sports options to keep every day fresh and exciting.
Common Sports Available from Online Offshore Sites
- American Football
- Canadian Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Rugby Union
- Rugby League
- Aussie Rules
- Cricket
- Motorsports
- Cycling
- Table Tennis
- Horse Races
- Volleyball
- Winter Sports
- eSports
Apart from these common sports, many sites will also include a range of sports that are generally unknown in the US. Players who are looking for something new to try out can also find obscure options like Gaelic sports.
The most attractive feature of offshore sports betting sites is the sheer number of sports, bets, and special promotions that are offered compared to what is currently available locally in Oregon.
Oregon Bordering States
Nevada | Washington | California | Idaho
FAQ
Currently, the Oregon Lottery accepts bets on professional sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB. There is no word on whether college-level sports will be allowed anytime soon, mainly because there are many people who worry about the opposition that claims sports betting is an addictive form of gambling. This claim paired with the belief that college-level sports could be tainted should any form of gambling be involved.
Although there are some states that have legalized college sports betting, the Oregon Lottery is standing firm for now.
Whether a bet is placed in a land-based sportsbook, online, or through the Oregon Lottery’s sports betting app, players will have to register their information to confirm their identity and that they are of legal age to make a wager and gamble real money.
Even online offshore sports betting sites require new members to register to the site with several forms of ID which include a driver’s license or passport and something to confirm their current address. Although many sports betting sites are based offshore, they are still required to follow gambling laws.
The only legal and regulated sports betting in the state of Oregon is controlled by the Oregon Lottery. At the moment, there are only a few options available to players who are looking to place a bet on any professional sports that the Oregon Lottery accepts.
Mobile bets are only made through the sports betting app (compatible with both iOS and Android devices), and land-based establishments consist of a few tribal-owned casinos that were permitted to accept sports bets.
For players who still find this setup unacceptable, they choose to place their bets at offshore sports betting sites instead. Due to the vague details of the sports betting laws in the state, gambling at offshore sites is not strictly illegal, and they often have a wider range of sports and wager options.
