North Dakota Lawmakers Reject Online Sports Betting Bill due to Gambling Addiction Concerns

North Dakota lawmakers have once again turned down a proposal to introduce online sports betting to the state. The House voted 70-24 against House Concurrent Resolution 3002 (HCR 3002), which sought to place the issue on the November 2026 ballot. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Scott Lo, R-Minot, expressed his intention to preempt a potential citizen-initiated measure by introducing the resolution.

Despite efforts to regulate online sports betting through legislative action, North Dakota lawmakers have chosen to reject the proposal. The bill did not aim to legalize sports betting directly but rather to allow voters to decide on the matter in 2026. Lawmakers who opposed the resolution cited potential social risks and financial harm to charitable gambling operations.

House Votes Down Online Sports Betting Measure

During a hearing on January 15, Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, raised concerns that online sports betting could negatively impact charitable gaming in North Dakota.

Similarly, North Dakota University System Director of Student Affairs Katie Fitzsimmons warned of the risks posed to student-athletes and young people, emphasizing that “the negative consequences — particularly for student-athletes and college students — are deeply concerning and cannot be ignored.”

Rep. Lo highlighted that the proposed resolution would have allowed the Legislature to control how the measure would be worded on the ballot. He also noted that the revenue generated from sports betting would have been allocated to the K-12 public school system.

Concerns Over Potential Impacts

A key argument from opponents of the bill was the effect online sports betting could have on younger demographics and established charitable gambling organizations. Studies presented by lawmakers highlighted the prevalence of gambling addiction among college-age men, reinforcing the decision to reject the proposal.

The recent rejection is not the first time an attempt to legalize online sports betting in North Dakota has failed. In 2023, a similar effort did not gain enough in the Legislature. Lawmakers have consistently expressed concerns over the accessibility of online gambling and its potential negative societal impacts.

Current State of Sports Betting in North Dakota

While online sports betting remains illegal in North Dakota, the state’s federally recognized tribes are authorized to offer retail sports betting on reservation lands under existing compacts.

Several tribal casinos currently provide sports betting services, while others have the option to introduce such offerings in the future without further legal barriers.

Despite legislative resistance, North Dakota residents can legally participate in social and sweepstakes casinos, which do not fall under traditional gambling regulations. However, the absence of a legal framework for online sports betting means residents seeking such opportunities must travel to neighboring states where it is permitted.

Efforts to put the issue before voters have repeatedly failed, including a 2021 attempt that aimed to include retail sports betting on the ballot. Without enabling legislation or a constitutional amendment, online sports betting in North Dakota remains unlikely in the near future.

Source:

“North Dakota online sports betting bill defeated in House”, cdcgaming.com, January 26, 2025