Gambling is legal in ND, with various forms of gambling regulated by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. The state established a regulatory body, the North Dakota Racing Commission, in 1983. In 1987, the state legislature authorized the creation of a state lottery, and in 1989, charitable gaming was also legalized. Keep reading to know more.
Online Gambling Laws in North Dakota and Other Activities
In North Dakota, there’s no online gambling regulation. However, entering an online casino from the state is not suggested. In this extract, we are going to focus on the online gambling laws in North Dakota and other legal activities. So as to make it easier for you, we have prepared the table below:
💻 Online Gambling: | Online gambling is not regulated or prohibited in ND, but state law could apply. |
🏢 Casinos: | Casinos are only legal on tribal lands. There are 6 casinos operating in North Dakota. |
🚫 Legal Age: | The legal age for casino gambling is 21, and 18 for lottery and charitable gambling. |
🎰 Video Gambling: | Video gambling games are legal at licensed locations. |
🏈 Sports Betting: | In December 2021, North Dakota implemented laws to legalize sports betting. However, betting can only be done in person at any of the tribal casinos located within the state. |
💰 Charity: | Charity is legal under certain conditions. Raffles, bingo, and pull tabs are allowed. |
🏇 Horse Racing: | Parimutuel wagering on horse and dog races is legal. |
🎲 Lottery: | North Dakota Lottery offers a variety of games, including scratch-offs, lotto drawings, and multi-state games like Powerball and Mega Millions. |
Numerous residents utilize offshore betting sites due to the lack of online gambling regulations. Still, to avoid trouble with the law, it’s not recommended to take the risk. The state regulators enforce strict measures against any illegal online gambling operators within the state, and they could start penalizing players as well.
If you’re interested in online gambling, you should know there are six US states where online gambling is legal: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In case you’re visiting New Jersey, it’s always good to rely on the best NJ casino sites. This way, you can be sure you’ll play on licensed and safe platforms.
Main ND Gambling Laws
According to ND gambling laws 12.1-28-01 et seq.; 53.06.1-01 et seq., betting on horse and dog races is allowed, but casinos are only permitted on Native American reservations in compliance with federal law. The state also permits other forms of gambling, such as skill-based contests, pull-tab games, and sports pools organized by charitable organizations. See further information below:
- Gambling: According to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, it’s allowed in casinos located on Native American reservations.
- Off-Track Betting and Dog Racing: Legalized dog racing is regulated and licensed in North Dakota, and people can also place parimutuel wagers, including combinations, show, and quinella.
- Off-Track Betting and Horse Racing: Horse racing is licensed in North Dakota, and parimutuel wagering is allowed, including bets on place, show, quinella, and combination, along with simulcasts of races.
- Other Gambling Activities: Legal gambling activities in North Dakota include contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance; lawful business transactions; bingo, blackjack, pull tabs, poker, punchboards, sports pools, calcutta, paddlewheels, and raffles sponsored by licensed charitable organizations. However, the use of bogus chips, cheating devices, marked cards, and fraudulent schemes is considered illegal in the state.
If you are into horse racing, you might be interested in knowing that this sport in North Dakota takes place at the Chippewa Downs and the North Dakota Horse Park, both located in Fargo. Bettors can place wagers on races through off-track betting sites, simulcast facilities, or online platforms.
Among the North Dakota gambling laws you can also find the lottery laws. North Dakota’s state-run lottery offers scratch-off tickets and drawings. The state’s tax laws regarding gambling winnings mandate that 26% of all lottery revenue should be allocated for state funds and projects like public education. 50% of the revenue should be awarded as prizes to winners.
The North Dakota Lottery oversees the state’s lottery system, including the selection and licensing of retailers, training their employees, and ensuring compliance with regulations. They also pay out high-tier prizes to winners and assist retailers in promoting lottery games. Besides, the North Dakota Lottery conducts five multistate games, which are Powerball, Mega Wild Card 2, Millions, 2by2, and Hot Lotto.
North Dakota Offshore Online Gambling
Gambling laws in North Dakota are strict and limit most forms of gambling within the state. As we previously said, it isn’t advisable to gamble on offshore gambling sites. Besides, IPs will most likely be detected. Therefore, in most cases gamblers won’t be allowed to play on US sites from NJ, for instance, a state where online gambling is legal.
You must know that if you are able to register and play at any website from a state which hasn’t legalized online casinos, it will most probably be a scam. Therefore, individuals participating in offshore online gambling do so at their own risk. All this being said, offshore websites often operate in countries with more relaxed gambling laws and regulations.
It’s worth noting that in 2006 the US federal government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). This law prohibits US banks and financial institutions from processing payments related to online gambling activities. While this law does not make online gambling illegal, it has made it more challenging for individuals to make deposits and withdrawals from online gambling sites.
In summary, North Dakota’s gambling laws limit most forms of gambling within the state. While there are no specific laws prohibiting offshore online gambling, individuals should exercise caution when participating in these activities. It is also essential to understand the potential legal and financial risks associated with offshore online gambling.
Responsible Gambling in North Dakota
ND gambling laws have a strong focus on responsible gambling. All licensed gambling establishments in the state are required to implement responsible gambling programs and resources for their customers, as mandated by the state’s Gaming Commission. This includes providing information about problem gambling, offering self-exclusion programs, and training employees to recognize signs of problem gambling.
Moreover, North Dakota gambling laws mandate policies and procedures to prevent underage gambling and verify the age and identity of all customers. The state also offers a voluntary self-exclusion program that allows individuals to ban themselves from all licensed gambling establishments in the state for a minimum of one year and up to a lifetime.
Responsible Gambling Organizations in ND
The ND’s commitment to responsible gambling practices is reflected in the programs and resources available to individuals and the regulations that licensed gambling establishments must adhere to. All in all, responsible gambling in the USA is taken seriously in the state, and gambling laws in North Dakota are designed to protect vulnerable individuals from the negative effects of gambling.
The final section of our article on ND gambling laws focuses on responsible gambling associations. It’s essential to play with caution and awareness of the potential risks involved. Nevertheless, you can also count on some RG organization that aid players who require support. We have listed the most prominent ones below:
- North Dakota Council on Problem Gambling: This is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of problem gambling and provide resources for those who need help. They offer a 24-hour helpline and online chat service, as well as counselling and support groups.
- National Council on Problem Gambling: This organization provides resources and support for individuals and families affected by problem gambling across the United States. They offer a confidential helpline and live chat service, as well as information about self-exclusion and responsible gambling practices.
- Gambler’s Anonymous: This is a self-help group for individuals who have a gambling problem. They offer support groups and meetings where individuals can share their experiences and receive guidance from others who have faced similar challenges.
- The North Dakota Department of Human Services: The department provides information and resources for individuals affected by problem gambling, including a helpline and support services.
- The North Dakota Gaming Commission: The commission oversees the regulation and licensing of all gambling establishments in North Dakota, including the enforcement of responsible gambling practices and programs.
Keep in mind that the best way to cope with a gambling problem is by talking about it with your closest relatives and/or friends. Having your beloved ones support you along with professional help can end with the issue effectively and potentially fast. Remember to always gamble for fun, not for necessity.
Frequently Asked Questions
As we conclude our article on North Dakota gambling laws, we understand that you may still have some questions. Therefore, we have prepared a FAQ section that addresses some common concerns. These answers are concise and direct, allowing you to navigate to the relevant section for further information quickly. Find them below:
Is gambling legal in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Racing Commission oversees the regulation of horse racing in compliance with the North Dakota gambling laws. These laws permit several forms of gambling under the regulation of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Charitable gaming was also legalized under the state’s gambling laws in 1989, and the creation of a state lottery was authorized in 1987.
Which gambling activities are regulated in ND?
Under the ND gambling laws, various gambling activities are regulated by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. These several gambling activities in ND include horse racing, which is overseen by the North Dakota Racing Commission, as well as charitable gaming, such as bingo and raffles. Furthermore, the state lottery is also authorized and regulated by the gambling laws in North Dakota.
Which are the main North Dakota gambling laws?
The North Dakota gambling laws are found in statutes 12.1-28-01 et seq. and 53.06.1-01 et seq., as well as those governing the state lottery. In addition to the regulations related to various forms of gambling, the main gambling laws in North Dakota include provisions for lotteries. The state-run lottery offers scratch-off tickets and drawings with cash prizes for winners.
Is online gambling legal in North Dakota?
Offshore gambling sites operate in countries with less restrictive gambling laws and regulations. Participating in online and offshore gambling is not explicitly prohibited by any specific online gambling laws in North Dakota. However, it’s not recommended to do so since registering at an online casino could easily be a scam. Plus, finding aid afterwards might be impossible.
Are there any responsible gambling organizations in ND?
The state’s gambling laws require licensed establishments to provide responsible gambling programs and resources for their customers, overseen by the Gaming Commission. Besides, there are several responsible gambling organizations such as the North Dakota Council on Problem Gambling and Gamblers Anonymous. These associations offer support and resources to individuals who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.