Casino Gambling in North Dakota

North Dakota Casino Guide

Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in North Dakota

Bet on the ponies from your computer in North Dakota without fear. Online horse bets are completely legal in North Dakota. That’s not the only way to gamble online either. While there are no state-run online casinos, plenty of U.S.-friendly casinos welcome players from North Dakota. If you’d rather head to land-based casinos in North Dakota, again you have many options as there are dozens of tribal casinos in the state.

History of Gambling in North Dakota

Charitable gambling was the first legal form of gambling in North Dakota. It was in 1977, that the state legalized bingo for charitable causes. Horse race betting passed in 1987, and the state even allows online simulcast bets to be placed.

Yet, over a decade later, in 1988 to be exact, the face of gambling would change when the federal government passed a law allowing Native American tribes to open casinos on their land, providing a compact between the tribes and the state were passed. By 1992, five compacts were in place, and more would be added in the late-1990s and in 2013.

Age Restrictions for Gambling in North Dakota

To purchase lottery tickets or play bingo, you must be at least 18 years of age. If you want to play in North Dakota casinos or play pull tables, Calcuttas, paddlewheels, poker, or sports betting, you must be 21 or older.

North Dakota’s Casino Gambling Outlook

It’s uncertain when North Dakota might begin to look at advancing the current options. In 2005, Representative James Kasper attempted to legalize online poker in North Dakota, but the bill was shot down in the Senate.

Local Casinos

North Dakota’s official tourism site puts the current number of casinos at 10. There are smaller casinos, however, that didn’t make their list. In fact, the Gaming Division of North Dakota has a 38-page list of establishments that are licensed to have on-site games. While some of those are charitable groups, there are a number of casinos, too. Here are a few of the most popular North Dakota casinos.

4 Bears Casino and Lodge – Find both slots and table games at 4 Bears Casino & Lodge. There’s a snack bar for food and drinks, and outside you can enjoy Lake Sakakawea cruises during the summer months.

Dakota Magic Casino and Hotel – Dakota Magic is in a quiet area south of Fargo. In addition to slot machines, this casino offers table games, poker, and even has an on-site golf course if you want to get outside and enjoy a round.

Prairie Knights Casino and Resort – The number of games at Prairie Knights Casino is impressive. Enjoy more than 700 reel slots, video slots, and high-limit slot games, along with video poker and keno machines. There are also table games, including Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em.

Sky Dancer Casino & Resort – Sky Dancer Casino’s mix of gambling options is guaranteed to impress. As one of the larger casinos in North Dakota, the establishment is home to Sky Dancer Bingo Palace, a huge selection of table games, a poker room that holds weekly tournaments, and more than 500 video gambling machines, including slots, video poker, and Keno.

Southgate Casino Bar & Grill – Located in Grand Forks, Southgate Casino has a bingo hall, table games, and pull tabs. From time to time, they also offer poker tournaments.

Spirit Lake Casino & Resort – This establishment boasts the largest number of casino games in North Dakota. There’s a poker room, a bingo hall, video poker and slots, table games, and live Craps!