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Label:
Ordinance
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The purpose of the Social Games program is to regulate the operators of social games, restricting location, age, dollar amount of play, and other rules to protect the public peace, safety, and morals; and is required by Oregon Law for jurisdictions that choose to permit Social Games.
- There are approximately 14 open Social Games accounts.
- Social Games accounted for 3% of Regulatory Program revenue in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
- The fee for a Social Games permit has not been updated within past 50 years.
- There is currently no requirement for businesses that host Social Games to maintain Business Tax Compliance.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- Amend City Code Chapter 14A.70 as shown in Exhibit A.
- This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect January 1, 2027.
Exhibits and attachments
Impact Statement
Purpose of proposed legislation and background information
The proposed legislation updates the application fee for inflation and adds an annual inflation indexing factor. It adds a requirement that applicants comply with the Business License Law to obtain and to retain a permit.
Financial and budgetary impacts
This ordinance is submitted as part of an overall package of ordinances to update the regulatory programs administered by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Revenue Division, and ensure adequate funding for the current position performing the regulatory work. The package adjusts applicable fees and charges, adding an inflationary adjustment to support the programs that continue.
Economic and real estate development impacts
Notices were sent to the addresses and emails listed for each permit holder with information about the proposed changes, the public comment period, and a link to the website where they could learn more and provide comment. The public comment period was open for one month with no feedback received.This permit is required by the State of Oregon if a municipality is to allow for Social Games to operate. The most common application of this is for Poker Rooms. We did not receive any opposition to the proposed increase and do not expect it will substantially impact the permit holders ability to operate. The amount of the increase is a result ofthe City not having increased the annual permit fee since the program inception in 1974, while CPI and other market factors have increased exponentially since that time. We do not expect that any particular area or Council District will be disproportionately impacted as a result of these changes.
Community impacts and community involvement
This legislation will increase the annual permit application fee for persons conducting social games activities to account for inflation, which has not been updated for a significant period of time.
100% renewable goal
Not applicable.
Economic and real estate development analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document history
Document number: 2026-328
President's referral: Finance and Governance Committee of the Whole