National Poker Challenge closes its doors

The Oregonian reported today that the National Poker Challenge suddenly and with little explanation shuttered its Oregon parlor this week. The NPC, which offered players an ostensibly legal way to play public poker in Orgeon, gave players no notice of the closing, and attempts to acquire clarification from the persons running the business have yielded mixed messages.

NPC skirted Oregon gaming laws by running it’s room on a points model; players paid dues to participate in weekly games, and the winners acquired points that allowed them to participate in future tournaments which awarded cash and prizes. The business was investigated by Oregon officials earlier this year and allowed to continue operations.

There is currently no word on where players who had already paid August dues stand. One partner in the business insinuated that the state had in fact forced them to close their doors, while another claimed the closing was only temporary as the company retooled and prepared for an even larger relaunch.