Best North Dakota Sportsbooks April 2024
| Online Sportsbooks · States · North Dakota |
Sports betting is currently legal, or in the process of becoming legal, in more than half of the states in the US. North Dakota is one of a handful that is yet to pass sports betting legislation that would allow residents to participate in North Dakota sports betting.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was implemented in 1992 to curtail the rise of sports betting in the country. It applied to all states, apart from those already offering legal sports betting. Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana were exempt from PASPA and could continue sports betting operations. When the U.S Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, the possibility of legal sports betting throughout America became a reality.
North Dakota has ten land-based casinos, all run by native tribes. When the bill passes to legalize North Dakota sports betting, these casinos will likely be the first to offer North Dakota sportsbooks.
Those native tribes are set to present a proposal to state legislators that would make all online gambling and sports betting in the state exclusive to them, so perhaps there will be some movement on that front soon!
WHY CAN'T I BET ON SPORTS IN NORTH DAKOTA?
In North Dakota, you can drive over to a sportsbook that is land-based to get your bets in, but why can't you bet on your phone? Simply put, they have not passed legislation to allow mobile wagers.
The House passed bill HB1254, which then headed to the sitting of the state Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate didn’t pass this bill. This means mobile betting will not be coming any time in the near future.
CONTENTS
- ND Daily Fantasy Sports
- North Dakota Sportsbooks
- ND Betting Laws
- Future of North Dakota Sports Betting
- Betting Markets and Events
- Betting on Sports Teams in ND
- FAQ - North Dakota Online Sports Betting
- Conclusion
DAILY FANTASY SPORTS IN NORTH DAKOTA
There’s no specific legislation in North Dakota regulating daily fantasy sports. There’s also nothing stating whether it’s legal or illegal to participate in this pastime. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) considers it a game of skill, which is legal, rather than a game of chance, which is illegal. This definition deems daily fantasy sports a legal activity.
There are already many DFS operators in the state. FanDuel and DraftKings are familiar names in fantasy sports and also two of the leading contenders for North Dakota sportsbooks and North Dakota sports betting apps in the future.
MOST LIKELY NORTH DAKOTA SPORTSBOOKS
While various sportsbooks roll out their operations in other states, North Dakota sports betting is still in the preliminary stages. Residents will eventually get their turn to wager on their favorite sports at North Dakota betting sites. When they do, these are some of the North Dakota sportsbooks that will be happy to take their bets.
CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
Caesars sportsbook is one of the largest sportsbooks in the world. When North Dakota sports betting comes to the state, you can expect that Caesars sportsbook will be lining up for a license to operate as one of the North Dakota betting sites. With years of experience in the US market, it’ll be a valuable addition to the North Dakota sports betting apps and retail outlets.
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
FanDuel has captured a large share of the sports betting market in the U.S. It currently operates sportsbooks in almost ten states and is first in line when a state legalizes sports betting. In many other states, like North Dakota, residents play daily fantasy sports on FanDuel.
FanDuel is well-positioned to be one of the first North Dakota sportsbooks when North Dakota sports betting is legal. However, residents must wait a while longer to see if they can use this popular brand for their ND sports betting.
DRAFTKINGS
Another familiar name in North Dakota is DraftKings sportsbook. Like FanDuel, North Dakotans can participate in fantasy sports on this platform. Residents in other states with legal sports betting also have access to the DraftKings sportsbook.
When the state passes legislation allowing North Dakota sports betting, DraftKings will undoubtedly show interest in adding this state to its growing customer list. With several North Dakota betting sites on the cards, residents will have a few options for betting in North Dakota.
NORTH DAKOTA BETTING LAWS
In early 2019, the state of North Dakota introduced two bills aimed at legalizing North Dakota sports betting. One bill specified professional sports only, while the other was for full sports betting.
The House passed bill HB1254, which then headed to the sitting of the state Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate didn’t pass this bill, meaning that North Dakota sports betting remains illegal. The state legislature only meets every other year and won’t sit again until 2021. The upshot of this is that North Dakotans won’t see any movement on the ND sports betting front for a while. North Dakota sports betting lovers must wait a bit longer.
Until North Dakota online sports betting and retail betting outlets get the green light, residents can only legally participate in charitable gaming, multi-state lotteries, horse racing, and dog racing. Betting in North Dakota is legal on slots and games at casinos on Native American reservations.
FUTURE OF NORTH DAKOTA ONLINE SPORTS BETTING
IGT (International Game Technology) and the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians signed an agreement late in 2020. This agreement makes North Dakota sports betting possible at the Grand Treasure Casino in Trenton and Sky dancer Casino & Resort in Belcourt. Both are operated by the Chippewa Indian Tribe.
Although IGT hasn’t announced a launch date, a press release advised that the agreement covers both self-service kiosks and their PlaySports platform. Native tribes don’t need to obtain state approval to offer North Dakota sports betting. Therefore, the lack of regulations around betting in North Dakota is of no consequence to them.
Initially, ND sports betting limits wagering to on-site at the casinos only. Once North Dakota sports betting is up and running, it may create more urgency for lawmakers to pass legislation allowing North Dakota online sports betting and North Dakota sportsbooks.
Many states are already embracing mobile and retail betting. North Dakotans would love to see a choice of North Dakota sports betting apps and North Dakota betting sites in the state.
NORTH DAKOTA ONLINE SPORTS BETTING: EVENTS AND BETTING MARKETS
There are currently no legal options for sports betting in North Dakota. When legislation passes, allowing the start of North Dakota sports betting, a flurry of activity will likely ensue. Operators will hustle to launch their North Dakota sports betting apps.
The North Dakota betting sites that obtain licenses should provide bettors with an array of North Dakota sports betting markets. Basketball is possibly the most popular sport. Like sportsbooks in other states, North Dakota sportsbooks will have the full range of matches and tournaments for bettors. You can expect to see ice hockey, volleyball, football, and baseball adorning the pages of North Dakota betting sites.
These are just some of the events and sports tournaments that North Dakotan bettors can look forward to betting once North Dakota sports betting is legal in the state:
- National Hockey League
- National Football League
- Super Bowl
- College Football
- Major League Baseball
BETTING ON PRO SPORTS TEAMS IN NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota has no major league sports teams. Major League sports don’t achieve the same following in North Dakota as college sports. However, if North Dakotans were to pick Major League teams for betting in North Dakota, they would likely be those in neighboring Minnesota.
NFL BETTING IN NORTH DAKOTA
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings joined the NFL in 1960. Their name represents the state’s Scandinavian culture and the team mascot, Viktor the Viking, reinforces this culture.
They currently compete in the North division of the National Football Conference and play home games at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Despite having continued success on the field and being one of the most iconic NFL teams, the Vikings haven’t yet won a Super Bowl.
NBA BETTING IN NORTH DAKOTA
Minnesota Timberwolves
After an almost 30-year gap, the NBA found its way back to Minnesota with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team competes in the Western Conference Northwest Division of the NBA and plays home games at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves reached the playoffs on eight occasions, achieving their most notable success in 2004 when they won their first division championship. Minneapolis’ proximity to North Dakota makes the Timberwolves an excellent option for North Dakota sports betting.
NHL BETTING IN NORTH DAKOTA
Minnesota Wild
Saint Paul in Minnesota is home to the Minnesota Wild, the state’s professional ice hockey team. Although the area is further from ND than Minneapolis, the Wild are still a good team for North Dakota sports betting.
The Wild is a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference in the NHL and play their home games at the Xcel Energy Centre in Saint Paul. They were the division champions in the 2007-2008 season but haven’t achieved similar success since.
MLB BETTING IN NORTH DAKOTA
Minnesota Twins
Initially the Washington Senators, the team has played as the Minnesota Twins since 1961 when it relocated from Washington D.C. to Minneapolis. The team plays in the Central Division of the American League of the MLB.
ND sports betting enthusiasts could do worse than to embrace this successful team as their own. With seven division titles and three world series titles to their name, the Twins are likely to be sought after when North Dakota online sports betting hits the state.
OTHER NORTH DAKOTA TEAMS TO BET ON
With no professional sports teams to call their own, North Dakotans are avid supporters of their college teams. North Dakota sports betting will pave the way for some exciting action on North Dakota sports betting apps and retail ND sports betting. These are some of the teams that may be popular for North Dakota online sports betting.
BETTING ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota State Bison
The Bison is the official football team at North Dakota State University in Fargo. It competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as a member of the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision.
The team has an impressive record of success. Up to this point, it has won 36 conference championships and 16 national championships. This playing record would possibly render them favorites on North Dakota betting sites.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is home to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. The Hawks are a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, competing in the Football Championship Subdivision of the NCAA Division 1.
A great rivalry exists between the Fighting Hawks and Bison. In late 2020 the Hawks were leading the race with 65 wins to Bison’s 45, with three tied matches. Betting in North Dakota can benefit from the thrill generated by games between these two college teams.
BETTING ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL IN NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Like its football counterpart, North Dakota Fighting Hawks basketball team hails from the University of North Dakota. The Hawks have been members of the Summit League in NCAA Division 1 since July 2018. Before that, the team was part of the Big Sky league, where it was the tournament champion in 2017.
The team plays home games at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks. Fans of college basketball can look forward to wagering on the Hawks once North Dakota sports betting apps go live in the state.
North Dakota State Bison
The North Dakota State Bison from North Dakota State University is a member of the NCAA Division 1. They play home games at the Scheels Center, which is on the university campus in Fargo, North Dakota.
The team’s been in the Summit League since 2007 and has been conference tournament champions five times: 2009, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020. The success of this team is bound to infuse some excitement into North Dakota online sports betting.
NORTH DAKOTA ONLINE SPORTS BETTING FAQ
If you’re still unsure about the state of North Dakota sports betting, these frequently asked questions might assist you.
IS SPORTS BETTING LEGAL IN NORTH DAKOTA?
No, at this stage, North Dakota sports betting is not legal. Although two bills went before the state Senate in 2019, neither bill passed. This means that ND sports betting remains illegal and no North Dakota sports betting apps are available.
WHERE CAN I BET ON SPORTS IN NORTH DAKOTA?
There are no North Dakota sportsbooks or North Dakota sports betting apps operating in the state. Residents must travel out of state to areas with legal sports betting to wager on their favorite professional or college team.
WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGAL IN NORTH DAKOTA?
For North Dakota sports betting to get legal status, the state Senate must pass appropriate bills and observe other formalities. These processes take time, and there is no set date as to when ND sports betting may open. Once it does, North Dakota online sports betting and North Dakota sportsbooks will be quick to launch.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON BETTING IN NORTH DAKOTA
The state took a strategic wait-and-see stance to sports betting in North Dakota. As legal sports betting rolled out around the country, North Dakota lawmakers could see the successes and pitfalls that other states experienced.
Adopting this patient attitude means that once North Dakota sports betting hits the ground running, residents and visitors in this midwestern state will be ready to welcome North Dakota betting sites.