Oregon gambling benefits may change
Gambling related benefits like tax deductions from losses may soon change in Oregon as the government considers new regulations.
US.- Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to eliminate tax deductions from gambling losses. The industry is joining forces to fight the bill as it may hurt their operations in the state.
Senate Bill 212 was well received in the upper chamber and is now going through the House. It is currently under review by the House Revenue Committee.
Casinos, led by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community, seek to stop the bill. They argue that it would hurt Oregon gambling as customers would reconsider the amounts in play.
“Nobody will gamble if they can’t write off their losses,” a spokesman said. “The money from those customers goes toward us being able to provide essential governmental services.”
According to the Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance (OTGA) chairman, Gary George, the bill would cost the state lots of money. “Tribal gaming revenue is key to Oregon’s rural economy,” he said.
The bill could hurt Oregon gambling and cost the state up to US$6 million in revenue each year.
