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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Driver charged in deadly high-speed crash ... Pair charged in rural drug raid outside Jacksonville ... Rogue Disposal wants to increase garbage rates by 12 percent ... Driver charged in deadly high-speed crash ... Pair charged in rural drug raid outside Jacksonville ... Rogue Disposal wants to increase garbage rates by 12 percent ... OUR VIEW Our View: New city gaming law is a safe bet Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News It's unclear why the city of Medford mistakenly allowed a poker club to open without first adopting a social gaming ordinance. But now that the mistake has been discovered, the council should waste no time remedying the situation. It's not just the Medford Poker Club that's in limbo. It turns out fundraising raffles at schools and local bridge tournaments might be technically violating the law as well. The poker club, like those that operate in many Oregon cities, is a place where poker enthusiasts can gather to play for modest stakes. It's important to note that such clubs are not casinos, because there is no "house" taking a cut of the money being wagered. Instead, the club collects a donation of $1 to $4 each time a player wins a hand. The club provides non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and players can bring their own beer and other beverages. The Medford Poker Club has nearly 300 members. There does not appear to be any opposition from the city to this new business; the club was issued a business license and held its grand opening June 4. But someone complained anonymously, and city officials discovered there was no social gaming ordinance on the books. State law allows social gaming clubs, as long as the local jurisdiction enacts an ordinance to regulate them. The council appears poised to do that, taking up the matter at its July 21 meeting. Meanwhile, the club continues to operate without penalty. It's unfortunate that no one at the city checked the applicable laws governing gambling clubs before issuing the business license. But now that the oversight has come to light, the council should waste no time approving an ordinance so Medford's first poker club can continue to provide what is clearly a popular service to local card players. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 13, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501