Beating the Spread: Oregon's Role in the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act

Abstract

Established in 1859, Oregon, like so many other states, discovered quickly that a strong, viable economy was necessary in order to support the government and the civilians of the state. This paper follows the development of Oregon's economy over the years all the way to 1989 when the Oregon State Lottery introduced a sports wagering game that was meant to provide additional revenue to the state. This game, otherwise known as Sports Action became a controversial topic among many people. Professional and amateur sports leagues all took issue to this game and eventually federal intervention was called for. From this cry for help, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was created. This research contributes to our understanding of Oregon's actions and offers a look into the modern politics that our nation operates on through careful examination of government records.