North Dakota: Tribes rejected online gaming exclusivity, allowed to accept card payments
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has rejected a plea by North Dakota’s Indian tribes to have exclusive rights to deliver internet gambling and sports betting.
Tribes asked the Republican Governor to approve this expansion of their remit in the state, as part of a new gaming compact that will be introduced in 2023.
This request was rejected as it goes against Ohio state law.
However, Burgum did endorse tribal calls to lower the legal gambling age in the state from 21 to 19 at Ohio’s five tribal-owned casinos.
Burgum also accepted requests to allow punters to use credit or debit cards at these tribal locations.
Although tribes were rejected from holding exclusive rights to online gambling, this does not mean they will be unable to operate iGaming in the future.
Upon submitting his final draft for the new gaming compact, Burgum allegedly included language to suggest tribes could offer online gaming away from reservation property.
This compact is, however, pending authorisation from the US Department of Interior. The department must submit approval or rejection within 45 days, otherwise, the new compact will pass into law automatically.
On the new compact, Burgum explained: “These negotiated compacts address several longstanding issues between the state and tribes by cutting through red tape and streamlining regulation of tribal gaming for the benefit of both parties.
“While we understand and appreciate the desire by some of the tribes to extend online gaming beyond their reservation boundaries, a clear legal path does not exist for the governor to grant such a broad expansion of gaming in the compact.
“We plan to work with the Legislature to bring all parties to the table and take a comprehensive look at gaming during the upcoming 2023 session, including sports betting, e-tabs and other gaming.”
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