Justice Department: Gambling center plan unconstitutional

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Justice has released an opinion that the planned gambling machines in an entertainment center next to the Grants Pass Downs horse racing track amount to a casino that would violate the Oregon Constitution. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the Justice Department ruled Friday that the machines are games of chance and “do not afford players any meaningful opportunity to exercise skills.” Dutch Bros co-founder Travis Boersma says he has spent $50 million refurbishing the race track and building next door. The centerpiece of the facility was to have been 225 gambling machines. The Oregon Racing Commission will make the final decision on Boersma’s bid.