North Dakota Gambling Guide: Legal Options and Regulations
North Dakota maintains a conservative approach to gambling, permitting tribal casinos, charitable gaming, pari-mutuel horse racing, and the state lottery while prohibiting commercial casinos and regulated online gaming. Real-money online casinos, poker, and sports betting remain unauthorized statewide, with limited retail sports wagering available only at select tribal venues through gaming compacts. The North Dakota Attorney General’s office and tribal authorities oversee enforcement and compacts, emphasizing player protections in permitted activities.
Technical Sheet
Casino: North Dakota Regulated Gambling (No Online Casinos), Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov/licensing-and-gaming, Established: Tribal gaming 1990s onward, License: Tribal-state compacts, charitable gaming licenses, Operator: Tribal nations and licensed charities, Providers: N/A for online casinos (tribal: various), Payment Methods: Varies by venue (cash, cards at tribal sites), Withdrawal Times: N/A for online, Customer Support: Venue-specific, Active Bonuses: Tribal promotions (varies),
Overview of Gambling Regulations
North Dakota Century Code Title 12.1 Chapter 28 governs gambling, classifying unauthorized activities as infractions or misdemeanors based on stakes. Laws do not explicitly address online gambling, resulting in a gray area for offshore sites, though no prosecutions of individual players have occurred. Enforcement prioritizes operators, with tribal gaming regulated via federal compacts and state oversight. Charitable gaming supports community causes under strict prize and operational limits.
Tribal casinos serve as primary venues for slots, table games, and poker, contributing to tribal economies and offering entertainment options.
Tribal Casinos
Five major tribal casinos operate under compacts, providing slots, blackjack, other table games, and poker rooms:
- Spirit Lake Casino & Resort (Devils Lake): Features extensive slots, table games, hotel, and entertainment.
- Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino (Belcourt): Offers gaming floors with slots and tables, plus resort amenities.
- Prairie Knights Casino & Resort (Fort Yates): Includes slots, table games, poker, dining, and events.
- Dakota Magic Casino (Hankinson): Large property with slots, tables, hotel, and golf course.
- 4 Bears Casino & Lodge (New Town): Provides slots, table games, poker, and lodge accommodations.
Additional smaller tribal venues and charitable sites offer electronic pull-tabs, blackjack, and occasional poker in bars or halls.
Poker and Casino Games
Live poker is available at major tribal casinos, typically featuring no-limit Hold’em cash games and regular tournaments across 5-10 tables per venue. No regulated online poker or real-money online casinos exist. Sweepstakes-style social casinos provide alternatives with virtual play.
Sports Betting and Horse Racing
Retail sports betting is permitted only at select tribal casinos under compact provisions, with no statewide or online access. Recent legislative efforts, including a 2025 resolution for a 2026 ballot measure, were rejected, delaying broader legalization. Pari-mutuel horse racing occurs at tracks like Chippewa Downs and North Dakota Horse Park, with off-track and online simulcast betting through licensed platforms like TwinSpires.
Daily Fantasy Sports and Lottery
DFS operates in a legal gray area without specific regulation or enforcement; major platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and others accept North Dakota players, treating contests as skill-based. The North Dakota Lottery offers multi-state draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America, Lucky for Life, 2by2) and scratch-offs, sold exclusively at retail locations with no online sales.
Bingo and Charitable Gaming
Charitable bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and poker tournaments run under licenses with prize caps. Online versions are prohibited.
Payment Methods and Protections
Tribal venues accept cash, cards, and other standard methods. Responsible gaming includes age verification (21+ for casino games), self-exclusion options, and resources via state helplines or 1-800-GAMBLER.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online casino gambling legal in North Dakota?
No, real-money online casinos are not regulated or authorized.
What gambling forms are permitted?
Tribal casinos, charitable gaming, horse racing betting, state lottery, and DFS in practice.
What is the legal age?
21 for tribal casino games and sports; 18 for lottery and some charitable activities.
Can offshore sites be used?
While player prosecutions are rare, offshore sites lack state protections and may violate general gambling laws.
Any prospects for online gaming expansion?
Legislative interest remains low; tribal retail sports betting exists, but statewide changes face significant hurdles.
North Dakota focuses on tribal and charitable gaming for regulated entertainment, providing secure options with community benefits. Players should verify details with official tribal or state sources for accuracy.