North Dakota

Gaming Laws in North Dakota

North Dakota State Code Chapter 12.1-28 defines illegal gambling as “risking any money, credit, deposit, or other thing of value for gain, contingent, wholly or partially, upon lot, chance, the operation of gambling apparatus, or the happening or outcome of an event, including an election or sporting event, over which the person taking the risk has no control.”

It is a Class A misdemeanor to sell, purchase, receive or transfer a chance to participate in a lottery, disseminate information about a lottery with intent to encourage participation in it or engage in gambling on private premises where the total amount wagered exceeds $500 per individual hand, game or event. It is a Class C felony for a person to engage or participate in the business of gambling such as conducting a wagering pool or lottery, receiving wagers for or on behalf of another person, or owning, controlling, managing or financing a gambling business.

Tribal Casinos

There are five tribal casinos in the state of North Dakota, including Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, Prairie Knights Casino and Resort, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge, Painted Pony Casino and Sky Dancer Hotel and Casino. These casinos offer bingo, gaming machines such as slots as well as a variety of table games like blackjack, craps, roulette and poker.

Sports Betting in North Dakota

Sports betting is not allowed in the state of North Dakota outside of Tribal Casinos

Online Sportsbooks

North Dakota does not currently have legal online sportsbooks. While sports betting is permitted in the state, it is restricted to in-person wagering at tribal casinos and does not extend to online platforms. This limitation arises because North Dakota’s sports betting laws, established through tribal agreements, have not been updated to include online betting. The state has yet to pass specific legislation that would authorize or regulate online sports betting, reflecting a cautious approach to expanding gambling options and a preference for maintaining control over betting activities through existing, regulated venues

Poker and Casino in North Dakota

Poker and other casino games of any kind are not allowed in the state of North Dakota outside of tribal casinos.

Other Gaming Options in North Dakota

Betting on licensed horse racing and on-track parimutuel wagering is legal in North Dakota as well as dog racing. Charitable gaming for non-profit organizations is also allowed within the state, including bingo, blackjack, pull tabs, poker, calcutta, paddlewheels, punchboards, sports pools and raffles.

North Dakota Lottery

The North Dakota Lottery started in 2004 with money collected benefitting the State General Fund. The lottery games are limited to five jackpot drawings, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Hot Lotto, Wild Card 2 and 2by2.