Online Sports Betting in North Dakota

North Dakota has yet to pass sports betting legislation, but tribal casinos began accepting retail sports bets in the second half of 2021.

Although retail sports betting is available in the state, online sports betting is still illegal in North Dakota and will likely remain that way until 2025 at the earliest.

Here’s everything you need to know about online sports betting in North Dakota.

Details About Sports Betting in North Dakota

• North Dakota has not passed any legislation to officially legalize sports betting, but residents can place sports bets in person at tribal casinos.
• Tribal casinos can offer sports betting because it’s not considered to be different from other types of gambling offered by casinos.
• A recent bill, House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 3032, would have left sports betting legalization to a 2022 ballot referendum, but the bill was unsuccessful. As a result, it’s likely that sports betting won’t be officially legalized until 2025 at the earliest.
• Although retail sports betting is available at tribal casinos, there are currently no mobile or online betting platforms available in North Dakota.
• Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting are legal in North Dakota. Residents can use apps such as TVG, BetAmerica, and TwinSpires to bet on horse races online. Lien Games Racing also has four licensed off-track betting locations in North Dakota.
• Like many other states, North Dakota does not regulate daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, but platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel are able to operate in a legal gray area.

Recent Sports Betting News in North Dakota

Sports betting in North Dakota is not explicitly legal, as the state has yet to pass any sports betting legislation. However, tribal casinos began opening retail sportsbooks and taking bets in the second half of 2021. Outside tribal casinos, sports betting is illegal and will likely remain that way until 2025 at the earliest. Here are some of the most recent updates about the North Dakota sports betting industry:

• Dec. 1, 2021: The Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson opens North Dakota’s first retail sportsbook, with more tribal casinos planning to launch retail sportsbooks in the near future.
• March 22, 2021: HCR 3032 is reconsidered by the North Dakota Senate, but once again fails by a vote of 23-24. With this failure, statewide sports betting is unlikely to be legalized until at least 2025.
• March 19, 2021: The North Dakota Senate shuts down HCR 3032 by a vote of 23-24.
• Feb. 23, 2021: The North Dakota House passes HCR 3032 by a vote of 70-24, leaving it up to the Senate to approve the bill.
• Feb. 2, 2021: The North Dakota Authorize Sports Betting Amendment is introduced as HCR 3032. If this amendment makes it to the ballot and is approved by voters, it would require the state Legislature to authorize and regulate sports betting.
• Jan. 18, 2021: North Dakota Reps. Jon Nelson and Tracy Boe introduce HB 1448, which would allow tribal casinos in the state to launch online sports betting platforms.
• 2019: North Dakota introduces two bills in an attempt to legalize sports betting. HB 1295, which was quickly shut down by the House, would have limited sports betting to professional sports. HB 1254 would have allowed betting on professional and collegiate sports. This bill was passed by the House before failing in the Senate without discussion.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in North Dakota

There are no online sports betting apps available in North Dakota. Sports betting has yet to be officially legalized in the state, and while tribal casinos can accept in-person sports bets, they’re unable to offer online or mobile sports betting.

State lawmakers have recently attempted to pass legislation to legalize statewide sports betting, including online sports betting. However, these attempts have not been successful, and it will likely be a few more years before North Dakota residents can bet on sports online. Although there may be offshore sportsbooks that claim to operate legally in the state, these platforms should be avoided because they’re not regulated.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in North Dakota?

Daily fantasy sports apps offer an alternative to sports betting and are particularly popular in areas where sports betting is illegal. These apps allow players to build fantasy sports teams and compete against other players in contests for cash and other prizes. DFS contests often operate in a legal gray area, as they can be considered both games of skill and games of chance.

North Dakota is one of many states that have yet to pass any legislation to legalize or regulate DFS contests. But because these apps have not been explicitly prohibited, they can accept entries from residents in North Dakota. Residents can participate in these contests by registering with a platform like DraftKings or FanDuel.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in North Dakota

With the introduction of retail sports betting and the potential legalization of online sports betting in the future, it’s important for bettors in North Dakota to understand what constitutes responsible gambling.

Problem gambling is a serious issue that can impact your mental health, personal life, career, and financial well-being. To reduce your chances of developing a problematic gambling habit, keep these responsible gambling practices in mind when betting on sports:

• Don’t place bets while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Set a betting limit to mitigate your financial losses.
• Don’t chase losses.
• Never use online sports betting apps not licensed to operate in North Dakota.
• Take breaks from sports betting as necessary to prevent it from becoming a habit.
• Quit gambling altogether and seek help immediately if you believe you might be addicted to gambling.

Understanding what problem gambling is and how to gamble responsibly is important for any person planning to bet on sports. To learn more about problem gambling, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website, and call the National Council on Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance if you believe you may be addicted to gambling.

North Dakota Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of July 2022.