
Key points:
- Only qualifying organizations could conduct charitable gambling under the new bill
- Opponents say this would limit funds used to support the local economy
North Dakota legislators are considering a bill that could limit which organizations are permitted to conduct charitable gaming, according to KVRR and North Dakota Monitor local news reports.
Electronic pull tab machine installations around the state have prompted the legal discussion, the local report said. As the end of December, the number of these machines has reached close to 5,250, spread out across 846 sites statewide.
These pull tab machines are similar to slots.
As a result, Senate Bill 2035 is on the table for state lawmakers and defines what would qualify as a “public spirited organization.”
Only establishments that qualify would be allowed to conduct gambling should this bill pass in North Dakota.
The bill was proposed by the Legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee. Senator Janne Myrdal explained to local news that the intent of the bill was “to provide clarity and guard rails to limit unintended consequences of the charitable gambling industry.”
However, the proposal has received some pushback from the public.
Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Sheri Grossman told local news that “charitable gambling accounts for about half of its budget.”
She further commented, “Our gaming funds are used to bring people to Bismarck-Mandan to spend money in our restaurants, hotels and stores, and visit our attractions, and showcase our communities to others who may want to live here.”
Grossman went on to add that “the organization wouldn’t be able to help fund annual events like the Fourth of July fireworks or Mandan Rodeo Days” without this funding.