After watching one powerful sports betting company try and get a market share of online sports betting, the five Native American Indian tribes of North Dakota have decided they want to be the ones to host internet gambling and sports betting.
The tribes apparently are working on a proposal, which was obtained by the Associated Press, and will be using tribal-state compacts to persuade Republican Governor Doug Burgum to approve the plan. Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said the governor would not comment because negotiations are ongoing.
There is a bit of urgency in getting this done quickly since the current compacts expire at the end of the year. It isn’t likely that new compacts will be delayed but the tribes would rather have this resolved before they have to go into talks for new compacts. A public hearing on the final proposal is set for October 21.
The tribes claim they have been hurt by electronic pull tab machines, which were legalized in 2017 and controlled by independent companies. The tribes see none of the more than $1 billion spent of the Las Vegas-style machines that mimic slot machines. They said that it takes away business from tribal-run casinos.
Then last year, DraftKings, the No. 2 mobile sports betting market in the U.S., supported legislation and a failed resolution last year to allow sports betting in North Dakota.
The company argued that illegal sports wagering was already taking place in the state and that they could control the activity to make sure that it was conducted legally.
Sports betting has been legal in the Peace Garden State since December 2021. It is in Bergum’s interest to work with the tribes. Relations between the governor and the tribes have been testy since Burgum took office in 2016.
Cynthia Monteau, a lawyer and executive director of the United Tribes Gaming Association, which consists of leaders from each of the state’s five tribes, told the AP that approving this proposal will help mend relations.
“I think it’s time to start looking at ways on how we can work together and help each other and mend relationships and move forward in a positive way,” she said.
