How can you run a legal poker tournament in portland Oregon?

Unless you are a non-profit, you must have a Oregon Gaming license to run money games. Home games are private and not subject to a license. Free Poker leagues are everywhere in Portland.

Home poker games are legal in any city or county in the State of Oregon, in any format or structure for cash or for fun, as long as the location is a primary living residence.

Games outside of homes for any type of monetary or cash value are illegal under Oregon law unless you have applied for a non-profit Monte Carlo license from the department of justice and are granted the license to hold an event for fund raising for the non-profit organization. It also requires that must use staff from that non profit to run the event, not volunteers or hire a licensed Monte Carlo contractor that is also registered with the State of Oregon to run the event. There are very specific laws, limits and rules that must be adhered to under these licenses and failure to obtain the permits or follow these rules may result in a felonious act for those involved. Oregon Gaming licenses are only granted to casinos in the state. "Social gaming" allows for a very limited range of poker and poker tournaments in a place of public access or business ONLY IF a local enabling city or county ordinance is in place allowing for "social gaming" The City of Portland does have an ordinance for "social gaming" and has licensed a small handful of "social gaming" clubs within the city limits. IF NO enabling ordinance is in place then state law applies which prohibits gambling, poker, poker games or poker tournaments.