Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson, North Dakota, will open a “Vegas-style” Dakota Nation Sportsbook sometime in December or January, certainly in time for the Super Bowl.
Besides the Hankinson casino, the sportsbook will be offered at South Dakota’s at Dakota Connection in Sisseton and Dakota Sioux in Watertown, all operated by Dakota Nation Gaming Enterprise.
The retail sportsbook, which has partnered with IGT, will feature large TVs, food and beverage service and a “massive” wall to wall video screen. Mobile sports betting is not yet legal in the state.
The opening of the sportsbook is pending regulatory approvals. Bettors will be able to place bets on professional and collegiate sports.
The tribe has been considering offering sports betting since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban. According to casino chief marketing officer Rojelio Rubio, “In North Dakota, sports betting was negotiated prior and approved in the state gaming compact between the tribal nation and the state.” He added, “It wasn’t until the Supreme Court ruling that Dakota Magic was able to jump at the opportunity to provide sports betting.”
Lawmakers of the North Dakota legislature have tried to legalize sports betting in 2019 and 2021, but failed each time. Opponents include gaming tribes, who want to retail a sports betting monopoly, and colleges.
Two years ago North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott warned that sports betting could lead to tampering and put undue pressure on student athletes.
The bill’s sponsor Rep. Jim Kasper, countered, “The people of North Dakota are already sports betting” He added, “They find ways to do it. I’m saying we legalize it in our state, and we tax it so that we have the benefit of what’s already happening for the citizens of our state and our state coffers.”
