OREGON — The Oregon City Council is reviewing potential changes to its video gaming regulations while unanimously approving an ordinance banning electronic sweepstakes machines within city limits. Council members held a first reading and discussion on possible updates to gaming-related licenses Tuesday night, including whether to set limits on the number of establishments, require a percentage of non-gaming sales, or clarify renewal standards, but took no action and agreed to continue studying the issue. Later in the meeting, council approved an ordinance prohibiting electronic sweepstakes machines, citing concerns over lack of state regulation, oversight, and revenue tracking.
Oregon Mayor Ken Williams said there would be no limits unless they acted quickly.
”My concern is that this is new and since it’s applied for, we have no control over. We cannot say who gets it, who doesn’t. It could be put in anywhere, it could be put in, I don’t know, places where they don’t sell alcohol,” Williams said.
“So any business in town can put some of these in. Someone could rent a space and put 15 of ’em in, and you go in there and just play those games.”
