As existing tribal casinos flourish, tribes and non-Indians are looking at how to expand operations into the Portland metro area. Meanwhile, owners of delis and bars complain that gambling is such a fundamental part of their business that they can't survive on a mere 15 percent commission from electronic slot machines.
This scenario isn't what Oregonians had in mind when they approved the Lottery in the 1980s. Back then, the proceeds were designated for economic development. The lottery never was intended to prop up individual businesses or create mini-casinos.
That is why it's nonsense for retailers to complain about Lottery Director Dale Penn's initial proposal to cut commissions nearly in half for electronic slot machines. Every time retailers claim they would be shortchanged, they inadvertently endorse the argument that they have developed an unconstitutional reliance on the Lottery.
Against this backdrop, Salem's debate about poker card games in restaurants is refreshing.
On Monday, the Salem City Council let the matter drop, keeping the city ban in place -- at least for now.
We don't see the harm in casual games of poker among friends at an eatery. People already are allowed to play in their homes or at charitable, fraternal or religious organizations. The money bet on casual poker is pocket change compared with the $530 million that Oregon gamblers squandered in video-poker machines last year.
The danger in traditional card games, we suppose, arises when the games turn nonfriendly or run into high stakes; when security becomes an issue; or when the establishment illegally helps operate the game or gets a take of the money. Without betting limits and other controls, such games have the potential to escalate into problems, as Salem police told the city council.
Our law enforcement agencies have more important issues than policing poker games.
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