In North Dakota, members of the House of Representatives recently approved a pair of bipartisan resolutions and companion bills that establish rules for sports betting and internet poker. Proponents said the activities would generate revenue for charitable causes and for the state, including problem gambling services.
The proposals now move to the Senate. If both chambers approve the measures, the issues could appear on the November 2022 ballot.
State Rep. Jim Kasper has attempted to pass internet poker legislation since 2005. “Sixteen years!” he exclaimed, noting if the proposal had succeeded then, North Dakota would have been the first state to license and regulate online poker. However, the Senate rejected the measure.
In addition, the Republican-controlled House recently defeated a Democratic bill that would have authorized North Dakota’s five Native American tribes to negotiate with the governor an agreement allowing internet gambling and sports betting. A majority of lawmakers did not support a provision requiring servers located within the reservations.
Also, the House rejected a measure that would have allowed historical horseracing machines. The state Senate killed a similar bill two years ago.
