The five American Indian Tribes in North Dakota are seeking exclusive rights to host online gambling and sports betting in the state, and are pushing for Republican Governor Doug Burgum to approve the idea.
If approved, the Tribes would hold a monopoly worth millions of dollars only a year after it was approved by the state.
The Tribes could receive exclusive rights via Tribal-state agreements, known as compacts, the first of which was signed in 1992. These compacts expire this year and the only person that can approve them is Governor Burgum.
North Dakota’s top gambling regulator, Deb McDaniel, revealed that there is a hearing scheduled for the final proposal on October 21.
Tribes are arguing that their casinos have taken a blow due to the 2017 legalization of electronic pull-tab machines.
In the 2022 fiscal year, North Dakotans played with nearly $1.75bn on the machines.
Governor Burgum is responsible for the legalization of the machines, although he received opposition from Tribes who warned that the games would encourage players to move away from the state's Tribal-owned casinos.
Cynthia Monteau, a lawyer and Executive Director of the United Tribes Gaming Association, believes allowing tribes to control online gambling and take off-reservation bets would improve relations, and offset losses tribes have suffered from e-tabs.
She added: "I think it’s time to start looking at ways on how we can work together and help each other and mend relationships and move forward in a positive way."
Tribes feel the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act provides them with the authority to conduct online betting statewide by using servers located on tribal lands.
West Fargo Republican Representative Michael Howe said: "I think the average North Dakotan who enjoys sports wagering isn’t concerned where the tax revenue is going."
