The North Dakota Senate narrowly defeated a resolution that would have removed language in a sports betting bill including high school and colleges.
KX News reported last week that the House Concurrent Resolution 3002 failed by a lone vote, 24-23.
The amendment was created by Sen. Larry Luick and sought to change the wording in the bill. Instead of saying “shall” to “may” in regard to schools. He also wanted to add “to be conducted on professional sports” to avoid sports betting available on campuses.
Now the Senate will be taking up the bill as it was originally written, including high school and college wagering.
North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott said this could negatively impact student athletes by subjecting them to sports bettors upset by the results of games.
“We believe that opening the door to college sports betting in our state could have massive negative implications to our students,” Hagerott said. “It puts the safety and welfare of our students and even their families at risk.”
Luick agreed, saying on the Senate floor that allowing wagering on high school and college athletics opens a Pandora’s box. He said with social media so prevalent it could influence an athlete’s performance to cater to an outcome of a contest.
He also talked about “serious problems with mental health issues” recorded among athletes in universities, colleges, and high schools. He added that high school or college students could be negatively affected financially.
Rep. Greg Stemen said making sports betting legal would provide oversight.
“We have seen few, if any, betting scandals surrounding college sports teams in states where sports betting is taking place,” Stemen said. “Because of legal and legitimate sports gaming companies, there are more built-in protections to prevent those things from happening than ever before.”
Sports betting is already legal in the state but is allowed only at tribal casinos. This bill would allow it to become available statewide. In order for that to happen, though, both the House and the Senate have to approve it by a majority. Then it would be placed on the 2024 ballot for voters. If approved, it would become legal in 2025.
