Fans walk past a BetMGM sign featuring Wayne Gretzky prior to an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in November 2023 in New York City. As sports betting proliferates, researchers are beginning to calculate the costs on American households. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
North Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday rejected another attempt at legalizing online sports betting.
Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, said he hoped to stave off a citizen-initiated measure on legalizing online sports betting with a resolution that would have put the issue up to a statewide vote.
But that resolution failed 63-24 Wednesday in the North Dakota House of Representatives, with several lawmakers voicing concerns about the detrimental effects of gambling.
Louser said House Concurrent Resolution 3002 differed from a sports betting bill that failed in the 2023 session by designating that revenue from sports betting be earmarked for the K-12 public school system.
The bill didn’t legalize sports betting, but would have put it to a statewide vote in November 2026.
Louser said passing the bill would have given the Legislature control over how the measure would be worded.
Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Minot, said there is interest in his area on bringing a citizen-initiated measure.
Opponents cited studies showing that online sports betting is especially detrimental to college-age men, with both the North Dakota University System and North Dakota Student Association testifying against the bill
Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, said he feared that online betting would take money away from North Dakota charitable gambling.
There are 30 states where online sports betting is legal. Sports betting is legal at tribal run casinos in North Dakota, but not through online betting.
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by Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor
January 22, 2025
by Jeff Beach, North Dakota Monitor
January 22, 2025
North Dakota lawmakers on Wednesday rejected another attempt at legalizing online sports betting.
Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, said he hoped to stave off a citizen-initiated measure on legalizing online sports betting with a resolution that would have put the issue up to a statewide vote.
But that resolution failed 63-24 Wednesday in the North Dakota House of Representatives, with several lawmakers voicing concerns about the detrimental effects of gambling.
Louser said House Concurrent Resolution 3002 differed from a sports betting bill that failed in the 2023 session by designating that revenue from sports betting be earmarked for the K-12 public school system.
The bill didn’t legalize sports betting, but would have put it to a statewide vote in November 2026.
Louser said passing the bill would have given the Legislature control over how the measure would be worded.
Rep. Matt Ruby, R-Minot, said there is interest in his area on bringing a citizen-initiated measure.
Opponents cited studies showing that online sports betting is especially detrimental to college-age men, with both the North Dakota University System and North Dakota Student Association testifying against the bill
Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, said he feared that online betting would take money away from North Dakota charitable gambling.
There are 30 states where online sports betting is legal. Sports betting is legal at tribal run casinos in North Dakota, but not through online betting.
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YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.
Deputy editor Jeff Beach is based in the Fargo area. Interest areas include agriculture, renewable energy and rural issues.
North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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© North Dakota Monitor, 2025
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North Dakota Monitor is a nonprofit, nonpartisan source for trusted news, commentary and insight into statewide policy and critical issues affecting the Peace Garden State.
We’re part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. (See full republishing guidelines.)
© North Dakota Monitor, 2025
