New Lottery App and Sports Betting Coming

Lottery App: The Oregon Lottery has released a new smartphone app providing players with a way to scan tickets to see if they are winners, finding the closest Lottery retailer, and giving players information about Oregon Lottery games and promotions. In addition to the game-related features, the Lottery has purposefully included responsible gaming aspects in the mobile app. 

Sports Betting: Back in May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could offer sports betting, overturning an earlier decision by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals prohibiting such activity. Oregon was one of four states outside of Nevada that were grandfathered in to allow sports betting under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last May.

With that decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Oregon Lottery has decided to bring sports betting to the state ahead of the 2019 NFL season. To start, players will be able to place bets via a mobile app and will only be able to pick the winners of one sporting event or another, either outright or against the spread. Additional betting options are planned to be rolled out at a later stage. 

The app will also accept bets on other professional sports but gambling on collegiate sports will not be available via the app. The Oregon Lottery’s future plans include the authorization of in-game wagering at betting kiosks located at bars and restaurants around the state. 

At the Table with ORLA - Feb. 18, 2019

This week, ORLA looks into the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on sports betting and Oregon Lottery's plans for it. Be sure to subscribe to ORLA's YouTube channel so you don't miss these biweekly 2-minute updates.