Hillsboro considers allowing social gaming inside city businesses ...

The Hillsboro City Council last night considered whether to allow social gaming inside city limits. Social gaming is basically a card game played for money -- in Hillsboro, police usually see Texas Hold 'Em or Omaha Poker -- in a public place. Three businesses regularly host nights dedicated to the card games, said Hillsboro Police Commander John Schmerber in the council work session.

State law allows social gaming with restrictions, as long as a city OKs the practice with a local ordinance, Schmerber said. Hillsboro does not have an ordinance yet; neither does Beaverton. Until the city adopts an ordinance, any businesses that allow gaming are violating state statute.

The state law prohibits businesses from directly profiting from the games. That means they can't charge buy-ins, but they can make money off food and beverage sales. Schmerber said the three businesses are not making a lot of money off the nights, though.

The police department, which has not been called to any of the businesses who host the card nights, supports social gaming on a small scale, Schmerber said. The department does not want to legalize card rooms or large-scale gaming operations, though, so it suggested restrictions. The department recommended that a business only be able to host the games one night a week or only on 25 percent of the floor space. It also suggested that a business must have been operating for at least six months before it can offer space for the games. It must also clearly post notices that gaming is occurring. If a business breaks those rules, the department suggests a $1,000 fine -- rather than the normal $250 code violation fine.

The department did not recommend setting a minimum age to play the games. City Attorney Pam Beery said that's because asking for IDs is more invasive than the department wants to be. They would rather allow business owners to manage their spaces and see how the gaming goes. But some city councilors said allowing all-age gambling made them uncomfortable.

"We don't want a bunch of 15-year-olds sitting around McDonalds or a pizza parlor gambling," said Councilor Darell Lumaco. "I guess we can deal with it down the line if we know where it's happening. ... I just think it sends the wrong message. There's no place where you be underage and gamble, and now we're saying it's OK."

Councilor Olga Acu?a said she would also only support an ordinance allowing social gaming if an age minimum was included.

The council had been set to vote on approving an ordinance last night, but because councilors suggested changes, the police department and Beery's office will work on another draft.????

-- Casey Parks

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2011/11/hillsboro_considers_allowing_s.html

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