Oregon

What are bingo halls?

Bingo halls are just places where people play bingo. A bingo hall could be a venue that only hosts bingo, or it could be somewhere like a rented room where a bingo game is held. That means that sometimes, your local bingo hall may have a different day job! Regardless of what your bingo hall looks like it will still be set up roughly the same to allow a game of bingo to take place. There will be similar features like tables and chairs for the players, and perhaps somewhere to buy snacks or refreshments. There will also be a bingo caller somewhere at the front of the room where everyone can see them easily. They may not be at the casino in Atlantic City but the thousands of people who routinely play bingo at churches, temples and service organizations throughout Oregon are as enthusiastic about their pastime as that city's most zealous gambler. For both, the goal is the same: to win money. Luckily, there are still some very exciting bingo halls out there in Oregon such as Eugene Bingo Mania, DAV bingo in Portland & Stone Front Tavern in Salem – if you want to try something different, head to one of these gems.

How does a bingo game work?

Numbers with a letter (such as B-9) are drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize. Players purchase cards and mark out all even, odd or pre-drawn numbers. At a designated time, the caller asks if anyone has bingo. If no one does, the caller then draws one ball at a time until someone shouts bingo. Get your bingo ticket. Get a line or a full house before anyone else - this could be a single line, two lines, or a full house or a different specified shape or combination. Collect your winnings, usually money. Once you know all the rules, bingo is simple. If you are playing your first bingo game and are politely asked to move, don’t be alarmed; it’s possible that you are sat in someone’s ‘lucky’ spot. Show courtesy and agree to sit somewhere else – you never know; you might find your very own lucky seat in the process. We found a lucky seat at All Star Bingo in Portland, Oregon once!

How do I choose a bingo hall in Oregon?

No matter what time the game starts, bingo addicts line up early to purchase from five to 10 bingo cards, paying $1 for the first and 50 cents for each additional card. Chatting to people when in the queue is enlightening and can hep you choose where to play bingo in Oregon. Obviously this website will help you choose too. Some players sit with their friends and socialize; others are loners, preferring to be by themselves so they can concentrate on the game. Many frankly admit they love to gamble but some insist gambling has nothing to do with it, that bingo provides relaxation and a night out with friends. So choose a bingo hall that suits how you play and has the kind of environment that suits your style. Lucy Providenti from Salem, plays bingo three times a week. She finds games of chance exciting and says playing bingo is far better than sitting at home. Because she does not drive, Mrs. Providenti plays wherever she can. And wherever she goes she finds the same people. “It's a funny thing,” she said, “but you're in a store, smiling at someone and not quite remembering where you've seen them before and then suddenly you realize it was at bingo.” So whichever hall you choose, you'll always find the same people! There are loads of bingo halls in Oregon; in Salem, Portland, Eugene and all over the place!

What makes a great bingo hall?

Bingo is a very simple game to play and this has led to its immense popularity over the years. Some of the bingo halls are very simple places too. In the United States, the game is said to have started back in the early 1920’s by Hugh Ward who took the game around to carnivals, and later published an official rule book and also made money selling packages of bingo cards. Stuff like facilities, proximity, atmosphere, decor and general vibe will determine whether you think a particular bingo hall near you in Oregon is great. The game was originally called “beano,” from the fact that beans were used back then to mark the cards, and it’s said that one player who hit “beano” yelled out “bingo” instead, and the name ended up catching on. Bingo has been widely played ever since, and is a particular favorite of charitable organizations, especially churches, and bingo is certainly viewed as apart from normal gambling, even though it is certainly gambling in the strict sense. People would then pay a fee per card to play, and part of the proceeds would be used for prizes, often cash prizes, and the rest would be kept by the organization to support their charity. That's a great thing about bingo halls! You'll find lots of great bingo halls where you can play bingo in Oregon.

What you need to know about gambling in Oregon

Oregon is tolerant of gambling which takes place under their broad ‘social’ definitions. Bingo halls in Oregon are classed as such. Charitable gaming regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) consists of bingo, raffle and Monte Carlo events in which the proceeds are used to fund the activities of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. Only organizations exempt from paying federal income taxes may conduct charitable gaming events in Oregon. Bingo halls in Oregon fall into this category. Generally, all nonprofit organizations wishing to operate bingo events are required to have licenses issued by the Oregon DOJ. According to Chapters 167 and 464 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, charitable bingo gaming can legally occur. Charitable bingo games are regulated through the Oregon Department of Justice and only charitable organizations (tax-exempt nonprofits) in operation for at least one full year can receive a charitable gaming license permit by the Oregon DOJ. However, even with this allowance charitable organizations in OR are barred from hosting charitable bingo gambling activities on certain days. These days are specified by the Oregon Department of Justice and charities must abide by this rule as part of their license agreement. Another stringent condition is that no prize greater than $2,500 should be awarded in a bingo game or else it violates local gambling laws.

Interesting Facts

• Crater Lake in south-central Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States (and one of the top 10 deepest in the world). Formed by the collapse of a volcano around 7700 years ago, the lake is close to 2000 feet deep. There aren't any bingo halls on the lake.
• Oregon is home to the biggest mushroom on earth. Spanning approximately 2.4 miles in Oregon’s Blue Mountains, the enormous honey fungus is believed to be somewhere between 1900 and 8650 years old. The mushroom does not taste of honey though.
• Mushroom hunting is such a popular (and lucrative) activity in Oregon, the state even has its own mushroom festival. Held annually in Estacada, the Estacada Festival of the Fungus features a mushroom hunt, tastings, fungus-themed artwork, and mushroom identification classes. They are mad for a shroom.
• In 1975 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest was shot in a wing of the Oregon State Mental Hospital, Salem. Many of the hospital’s patients were employed as extras and crew members during production. All of the actors who played patients actually lived on the Oregon State Hospital psychiatric ward throughout production.
• Tonya Harding (figure skater) River Phoenix and Matt Groening (cartoonist and creator of The Simpsons) were all born in Oregon and it is the only state to have its own official state nut, yes a NUT - the hazelnut. Hoorah for official state nuts!

Towns in Oregon