North Dakota sports betting bill dies in Senate

North Dakota looks set to miss out on sports betting in the current legislative session after the state’s Senate voted down a bill to legalise such activities.

House Bill 1254, which would only have allowed for land-based betting in the state, lost by a vote of 38-7 and will not progress further. The Government and Veterans Affairs Committee had recommended that the bill not pass.

The bill endured a difficult path to the Senate, passing the House at the second attempt following reconsideration.

In its second reading, the bill received 46 votes to 44, but did not pass due to lack of constitutional majority. However, after reconsideration, the bill eventually passed with a vote of 52 in favour and 38 against.

Had the bill progressed into law, sports betting would have been classed as a game of chance. Operators would have faced different tax rates based on gross sports wagering proceeds: 1% on proceeds under $1.5m (£1.1m/€1.3m) each quarter and 2.5% for amounts over this threshold.

Licences would have been made available to Native American gambling facilities within North Dakota, as well as charity-specific partners that would only offer services to raise funds for their various causes. There are no commercial casinos in the state.

The bill would also have permitted only one of two or more closely related organisations to hold a sports wagering licence at one time.

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