The North Dakota House Judiciary Committee recently voted 11-4 to give a “do not pass” recommendation to House Concurrent Resolution 3033—a constitutional amendment that would allow up to six casinos. It’s the second time the committee rejected the resolution, which received a 13-2 vote on March 15.
The resolution was sponsored by Republican House majority leader, state Rep. Al Carlson, who amended it before the latest vote, making the casinos privately owned and state regulated, and doubling the minimum distance of any casinos from tribal reservations to 40 miles. No other restrictions were included in the resolution, which also would create a Casino Gaming Commission and require the legislature to establish licensing regulations, fees and taxation rates for casinos.
The resolution was opposed by tribal and charitable gaming officials who were concerned the new casinos would steal revenue. Currently a dozen tribal casinos operate in the state.
If the legislature approves the resolution, it will go before voters in the 2018 general election. It does not require the approval of Governor Doug Burgum, who has expressed his opposition.
The Republican Senate Majority Leader, state Senator Rich Wardner, said he was not certain the Senate would have supported Carlson’s measure, even if it had been voted out of committee and been passed by a majority of the House. “It’s pretty quiet. Nobody’s really talking about it,” Wardner said.
