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North Dakota Sports Betting Laws & Regulations

North Dakota Sports Betting Bill Heads to the Senate

By Lisa Spencer Senior Editor Updated: 23 January 2023

Lisa Spencer Senior Editor

As a Senior Editor at Betting.US, Lisa Spencer is a valuable member of our expert team. With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Lisa is adept in gambling theory and analyzing odds. She contributes by writing online sportsbook reviews and finding competitive markets to help our readers make an informed choice.

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There has been a step in the right direction for sports betting in North Dakota, with legislation to approve sports betting receiving approval in the House of Representatives. The proposal, which was introduced by State Rep. Greg Steman, was approved late last week by the North Dakota House of Representatives, which means that it now moves forward to the Senate.

If the proposal, House Concurrent Resolution 3002, is approved by the Senate, it will then be included on the ballot for November 2024. Once the ballot goes ahead, residents’ votes will not determine whether sports betting can be legalized but whether the state constitution should be amended to accommodate sports betting.

People in the State Already Placing Bets

Many officials are keen for sports betting to be legalized because many people across the state are already placing bets. However, many are doing this via illegal and unregulated platforms, which means that they have no protection in place and the state does not benefit from their sports betting activities.

Greg Steman provided figures from the American Gaming Association which suggested that nearly 138,000 people from North Dakota were gambling more than $300 million each year. He said:

If it’s already happening, let’s regulate it, let’s provide oversight, let’s put consumer protections in place and allow legitimate American gaming entities to partner with the state. So that the people who are doing it have some protection built in.

Steman went on to say that the state could also benefit hugely from the legalization of sports betting, so it would mean better protection for sports fans and an income boost for the state. He said that sports betting could help to generate more than $3.5 million a year in gaming taxes with a 10 percent tax rate imposed.

A Good Time to Legalize Sports Betting

As many other states have come to realize, this has become a very good time to legalize sports betting, as it has become increasingly active over recent years. After Maryland legalized betting, activity across the nation increased by 27 percent according to reports.

It was further shown from recent industry data that American sports fans gambled $9.4 billion on sports in November last year. During the fall and winter months, activity is rife because of the hectic sports betting schedule. This includes the football season, Super Bowl, and March Madness, all of which lead to frenzied betting until the traditional lull during the summer months.

The growing popularity of sports betting both in person and especially online means that states that have legalized this activity have benefitted hugely. It has not only helped to clamp down on illegal gambling activity, but it has helped the states in question to improve services and boost state finances with an influx of tax dollars.

In some states, it has meant that gamblers no longer have to cross the border to neighboring states to place bets.

By legalizing sports betting, North Dakota could be one of the next states to start enjoying these benefits.