ORS 167.117
Definitions for ORS 167.108 to 167.164 and 464.270 to 464.530

Text
Annotations 8

As used in ORS 167.108 (Definitions for ORS 167.109 and 167.112) to 167.164 (Possession of a gray machine) and 464.270 (Licensing requirements) to 464.530 (Jurisdiction of Circuit Court for Marion County), unless the context requires otherwise:

(1)

“Bingo or lotto” means a game, played with cards bearing lines of numbers, in which a player covers or uncovers a number selected from a container, and which is won by a player who is present during the game and who first covers or uncovers the selected numbers in a designated combination, sequence or pattern.

(2)

“Bookmaker” means a person who unlawfully accepts a bet from a member of the public upon the outcome of a future contingent event and who charges or accepts a percentage, fee or vigorish on the wager.

(3)

“Bookmaking” means promoting gambling by unlawfully accepting bets from members of the public as a business, rather than in a casual or personal fashion, upon the outcomes of future contingent events.

(4)

“Casino game” means any of the traditional gambling-based games commonly known as dice, faro, monte, roulette, fan-tan, twenty-one, blackjack, Texas hold-’em, seven-and-a-half, big injun, klondike, craps, poker, chuck-a-luck, Chinese chuck-a-luck (dai shu), wheel of fortune, chemin de fer, baccarat, pai gow, beat the banker, panquinqui, red dog, acey-deucey, or any other gambling-based game similar in form or content.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

“Charitable, fraternal or religious organization” means any person that is:

(A)

Organized and existing for charitable, benevolent, eleemosynary, humane, patriotic, religious, philanthropic, recreational, social, educational, civic, fraternal or other nonprofit purposes; and

(B)

Exempt from payment of federal income taxes because of its charitable, fraternal or religious purposes.

(b)

The fact that contributions to an organization profiting from a contest of chance do not qualify for a charitable deduction for tax purposes or that the organization is not otherwise exempt from payment of federal income taxes pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, constitutes prima facie evidence that the organization is not a bona fide charitable, fraternal or religious organization.

(6)

“Contest of chance” means any contest, game, gaming scheme or gaming device in which the outcome depends in a material degree upon an element of chance, notwithstanding that skill of the contestants may also be a factor therein.

(7)

“Gambling” means that a person stakes or risks something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the control or influence of the person, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome. “Gambling” does not include:

(a)

Bona fide business transactions valid under the law of contracts for the purchase or sale at a future date of securities or commodities, and agreements to compensate for loss caused by the happening of chance, including but not limited to contracts of indemnity or guaranty and life, health or accident insurance.

(b)

Engaging in contests of chance under the following conditions:

(A)

The contest is played for some token other than money;

(B)

An individual contestant may not purchase more than $100 worth of tokens for use in the contest during any 24-hour period;

(C)

The tokens may be exchanged only for property other than money;

(D)

Except when the tokens are exchanged for a beverage or merchandise to be consumed on the premises, the tokens are not redeemable on the premises where the contest is conducted or within 50 miles thereof; and

(E)

Except for charitable, fraternal or religious organizations, no person who conducts the contest as owner, agent or employee profits in any manner from operation of the contest.

(c)

Social games.

(d)

Bingo, lotto or raffle games or Monte Carlo events operated in compliance with ORS 167.118 (Certain games or events conducted by charitable, fraternal or religious organizations), by a charitable, fraternal or religious organization licensed pursuant to ORS 167.118 (Certain games or events conducted by charitable, fraternal or religious organizations), 464.250 (Powers and duties of Department of Justice) to 464.380 (Variations depending on number, frequency or gross income authorized) and 464.420 (Local prohibition in lieu of state regulation) to 464.530 (Jurisdiction of Circuit Court for Marion County) to operate such games.

(e)

Savings promotion raffles, as defined in ORS 708A.660 (Savings promotion raffles).

(8)

“Gambling device” means any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment that is used or usable in the playing phases of unlawful gambling, whether it consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine. Lottery tickets, policy slips and other items used in the playing phases of lottery and policy schemes are not gambling devices within this definition. Amusement devices other than gray machines, that do not return to the operator or player thereof anything but free additional games or plays, shall not be considered to be gambling devices.

(9)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

“Gray machine” means any electrical or electromechanical device, whether or not it is in working order or some act of manipulation, repair, adjustment or modification is required to render it operational, that:

(A)

Awards credits or contains or is readily adaptable to contain, a circuit, meter or switch capable of removing or recording the removal of credits earned by a player, other than removal during the course of continuous play; or

(B)

Plays, emulates or simulates a casino game, bingo or keno.

(b)

A device is no less a gray machine because, apart from its use or adaptability as such, it may also sell or deliver something of value on the basis other than chance.

(c)

“Gray machine” does not include:

(A)

Any device commonly known as a personal computer, including any device designed and marketed solely for home entertainment, when used privately and not for a fee and not used to facilitate any form of gambling;

(B)

Any device operated under the authority of the Oregon State Lottery;

(C)

Any device manufactured or serviced but not operated in Oregon by a manufacturer who has been approved under rules adopted by the Oregon State Lottery Commission;

(D)

A slot machine;

(E)

Any device authorized by the Oregon State Lottery Commission for:

(i)

Display and demonstration purposes only at trade shows; or

(ii)

Training and testing purposes by the Department of State Police; or

(F)

Any device used to operate bingo in compliance with ORS 167.118 (Certain games or events conducted by charitable, fraternal or religious organizations) by a charitable, fraternal or religious organization licensed to operate bingo pursuant to ORS 167.118 (Certain games or events conducted by charitable, fraternal or religious organizations), 464.250 (Powers and duties of Department of Justice) to 464.380 (Variations depending on number, frequency or gross income authorized) and 464.420 (Local prohibition in lieu of state regulation) to 464.530 (Jurisdiction of Circuit Court for Marion County).

(10)

“Handle” means the total amount of money and other things of value bet on the bingo, lotto or raffle games, the value of raffle chances sold or the total amount collected from the sale of imitation money during Monte Carlo events.

(11)

“Internet” means an interactive computer service or system or an information service, system or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server and includes, but is not limited to, an information service, system or access software provider that provides access to a network system commonly known as the Internet, or any comparable system or service and also includes, but is not limited to a World Wide Web page, newsgroup, message board, mailing list or chat area on any interactive computer service or system or other online service.

(12)

“Lottery” or “policy” means an unlawful gambling scheme in which:

(a)

The players pay or agree to pay something of value for chances, represented and differentiated by numbers or by combinations of numbers or by some other medium, one or more of which chances are to be designated the winning ones;

(b)

The winning chances are to be determined by a drawing or by some other method; and

(c)

The holders of the winning chances are to receive something of value.

(13)

“Monte Carlo event” means a gambling event at which wagers are placed with imitation money upon contests of chance in which players compete against other players or against the house. As used in this subsection, “imitation money” includes imitation currency, chips or tokens.

(14)

“Numbers scheme or enterprise” means a form of lottery in which the winning chances or plays are not determined upon the basis of a drawing or other act on the part of persons conducting or connected with the scheme, but upon the basis of the outcome of a future contingent event otherwise unrelated to the particular scheme.

(15)

“Operating expenses” means those expenses incurred in the operation of a bingo, lotto or raffle game, including only the following:

(a)

Salaries, employee benefits, workers’ compensation coverage and state and federal employee taxes;

(b)

Security services;

(c)

Legal and accounting services;

(d)

Supplies and inventory;

(e)

Rent, repairs, utilities, water, sewer and garbage;

(f)

Insurance;

(g)

Equipment;

(h)

Printing and promotions;

(i)

Postage and shipping;

(j)

Janitorial services and supplies; and

(k)

Leasehold improvements.

(16)

“Player” means a person who engages in any form of gambling solely as a contestant or bettor, without receiving or becoming entitled to receive any profit therefrom other than personal gambling winnings, and without otherwise rendering any material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation of the particular gambling activity. A person who gambles at a social game of chance on equal terms with the other participants therein is a person who does not otherwise render material assistance to the establishment, conduct or operation thereof by performing, without fee or remuneration, acts directed toward the arrangement or facilitation of the game, such as inviting persons to play, permitting the use of premises therefor and supplying cards or other equipment used therein. A person who engages in bookmaking is not a player.

(17)

“Profits from unlawful gambling” means that a person, acting other than solely as a player, accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with another person whereby the person participates or is to participate in the proceeds of unlawful gambling.

(18)

“Promotes unlawful gambling” means that a person, acting other than solely as a player, engages in conduct that materially aids any form of unlawful gambling. Conduct of this nature includes, but is not limited to, conduct directed toward the creation or establishment of the particular game, contest, scheme, device or activity involved, toward the acquisition or maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor, toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to participate therein, toward the conduct of the playing phases thereof, toward the arrangement of any of its financial or recording phases or toward any other phase of its operation. A person promotes unlawful gambling if, having control or right of control over premises being used with the knowledge of the person for purposes of unlawful gambling, the person permits the unlawful gambling to occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or continuation.

(19)

“Raffle” means a lottery operated by a charitable, fraternal or religious organization wherein the players pay something of value for chances, represented by numbers or combinations thereof or by some other medium, one or more of which chances are to be designated the winning ones or determined by a drawing and the player holding the winning chance is to receive something of value.

(20)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

“Slot machine” means a gambling device that as a result of the insertion of a coin or other object operates, either completely automatically, or with the aid of some physical act by the player, in such a manner that, depending upon elements of chance, it may eject something of value or otherwise entitle the player to something of value. A device so constructed or readily adaptable or convertible to such use is no less a slot machine because it is not in working order or because some mechanical act of manipulation or repair is required to accomplish its adaptation, conversion or workability. Nor is it any less a slot machine because apart from its use or adaptability as such it may also sell or deliver something of value on the basis other than chance.

(b)

“Slot machine” does not include any device authorized by the Oregon State Lottery Commission for:

(A)

Display and demonstration purposes only at trade shows; or

(B)

Training and testing purposes by the Department of State Police.

(21)

“Social game” means:

(a)

A game, other than a lottery, between players in a private home where no house player, house bank or house odds exist and there is no house income from the operation of the social game; and

(b)

If authorized pursuant to ORS 167.121 (Local authorization of social games), a game, other than a lottery, between players in a private business, private club or place of public accommodation where no house player, house bank or house odds exist and there is no house income from the operation of the social game.

(22)

“Something of value” means any money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise directly or indirectly contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein.

(23)

“Trade show” means an exhibit of products and services that is:

(a)

Not open to the public; and

(b)

Of limited duration.

(24)

“Unlawful” means not specifically authorized by law. [1971 c.669 §3a; 1971 c.743 §263; 1973 c.788 §1; 1974 c.7 §1; 1975 c.421 §1; 1977 c.850 §1; 1983 c.813 §1; 1987 c.914 §1; 1991 c.962 §7; 1995 c.577 §2; 1997 c.867 §1; 1999 c.193 §1; 2001 c.228 §1; 2001 c.502 §7; 2005 c.57 §1; 2005 c.355 §2; 2015 c.137 §3]

Source: Section 167.117 — Definitions for ORS 167.108 to 167.164 and 464.270 to 464.530, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors167.html.

Notes of Decisions

The legislature did not intend free play pinball machines which are used as payoff gambling devices to be immune from seizure under ORS 167.162. State v. Wright, 21 Or App 659, 537 P2d 130 (1975)

Principal evil legislature sought to prevent by this section was “taking over” of operation of bingo games on behalf of charitable organizations by other organizations specializing in operating such activities for profit and who would charge fee or collect percentage for their work. State v. Johnston, 56 Or App 849, 643 P2d 666 (1982), Sup Ct review denied

Where defendant promoted bingo game sponsored by fraternal organization in which members of chapter were paid daily wage to assist, games were unlawful gambling not included in exception of this section for games in which no person other than organization or player profits. State v. Johnston, 56 Or App 849, 643 P2d 666 (1982), Sup Ct review denied

“Free play” electric game machines are not “gambling devices” even though patrons were given cash rather than free plays. State v. Langan, 293 Or 654, 652 P2d 800 (1982)

Where defendants, club employees, received tips from poker games, games were not social games but illegal gambling. State v. Hansen, 108 Or App 609, 816 P2d 706 (1991)

“House bank” exception from definition of “social game” includes any game where house exchanges players’ money for chips and holds money, and exception is not limited to house’s participation in “banked game.” Oregon Racing, Inc. v. Oregon State Lottery, 310 Or App 281, 485 P3d 912 (2021)

“House income from the operation” exception from definition of “social game” includes house’s door fees and seat charges and is not limited to house’s income as participating gambler. Oregon Racing, Inc. v. Oregon State Lottery, 310 Or App 281, 485 P3d 912 (2021)

Attorney General Opinions

Authority of charitable organizations to conduct lottery and other games for profit, (1974) Vol 37, p 321; authority of cities to regulate free play pinball machines, (1975) Vol 37, p 740; effect of Constitutional amendment authorizing legislature to adopt legislation which permits certain organizations to conduct gambling, (1977) Vol 38, p 857; income resulting from setting up game and bankrolling participant as legitimate income from social game, (1977) Vol 38, p 1455; operation of “pull tab bingo” by charitable corporation, (1981) Vol 41, p 309

California:	Codes
Colorado:	C.R.S.
Nevada:	NRS
New York:	Laws
Oregon:	OAR, ORS
Texas:	Statutes
World:	Rome Statute, International Dictionary

ORS 167.117 Definitions for ORS 167.108 to 167.164 and 464.270 to 464.530

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Notes of Decisions

Attorney General Opinions

ORS 167.117
Definitions for ORS 167.108 to 167.164 and 464.270 to 464.530