Sports betting is legal in North Dakota through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. There is no official state law that permits it. As of January 2024, there are three retail sportsbooks on tribal land.
There have been several attempts to legalize North Dakota online sportsbooks. There needs to be more support to do that.
The minimum age to bet on sports in ND is 19. Tribal casinos have the option of making that 21. Read more in our North Dakota sportsbook review below.
Current Breakdown of Sportsbooks Operating in North Dakota
The only way to legally bet on sports in North Dakota is at a tribal casino. As of January 2024, three legal sportsbooks are operating. All are in remote areas. Two are in the far north and northwestern parts of the state. The other is in the eastern part, close to Minnesota.
Mobile betting is illegal in North Dakota. In 2021 and 2023, the state legislature attempted to bring a constitutional amendment to allow it. It failed to pass the legislature in both years.
North Dakota Retail Sportsbooks
- 4 Bears Casino: New Town
- Dakota Magic Casino: Hankinson
- Sky Dancer Casino: Belcourt
Available Sports Betting in North Dakota
The betting menus at North Dakota sportsbooks are limited. The major sportsbooks do not operate there. All ND sportsbooks partner with small software and odds providers. This means it may be difficult to make large bets. It also means that there are no promotions beyond free drink tickets.
All major sports are on the boards at North Dakota sportsbooks. This means you can bet on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, auto racing, boxing and mixed martial arts. The typical leagues are the NCAA, NFL, NBA, NHL, NBA, UFC, and MLS. Since North Dakota sports betting is unregulated, it is up to each tribe to determine whether it will accept bets on in-state colleges. The same is true for college prop bets.
There are no major sports teams in North Dakota. Sports fans on the east side of the state tend to cheer for Minnesota teams, like the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Minnesota Wild. The western part of North Dakota often backs Colorado teams, like the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, and the Colorado Rockies.
Types of Sports Bets Available
North Dakota sports betting does not have the big menu large states have. However, it is ample for most bettors. Point spreads, moneylines, and over/under, also known as totals, are available.
Point spreads are when there is a favorite and an underdog that has a minus and a plus for the margin of victory. For example, a football favorite might be -7. If the favorite wins by eight or more points, the bet on that side wins. If the favorite wins by six points or less, or the other team wins, the underdog bet pays.
When the favorite wins by exactly seven in this example, it is a push. All bettors get their money back and nobody wins or loses. Some point spread include a half-point. This prevents a push.
A point spread usually has a lay of -110 on both sides. This means the bettor lays $11 for every $10 they want to win.
A moneyline predicts which team or player wins. If one side is -200, the bettor lays $2 for every $1 they want to win. The underdog will be about +160 in this example. That means that the bettor wins $1.60 for every $1 wagered. The house edge is the amount between -200 and +160.
Totals are often called over/under bets. A total is a prediction of how many points will be scored in a game. Bettors choose the over and under. This bet usually has a -110 lay on both sides, though in baseball, hockey, and soccer, it can be higher on one side and lower on the other because moving the spread changes the odds tremendously, whereas, in football and basketball, a half-point is not as important. It can push. Some totals include a half point to avoid pushes.
Ways to Bet Spreads, Moneylines, and Totals
Straight bets are the most common way to wager on point spreads, moneylines, and totals. A straight is a ticket with one outcome on it.
Parlays combine two or more outcomes. Some sportsbooks cap parlays at eight legs. Others go as high as ten. However, North Dakota sportsbooks do not generally offer same game parlays as online ones do.
Teasers are like parlays, but with a twist. In basketball, bettors can add 4, 4.5, or 5 points to their favor. In football, it is 6, 6.5, and 7. Teasers pay less when more points are added. These bets do not have the massive payouts that parlays do. However, they win more often.
Futures are a type of bet where one predicts the outcome of a season. Examples include winning the NFL’s NFC North, NFC Championship Game, and the Super Bowl.
Props, sometimes referred to as proposition bets, are available in North Dakota. However, the availability is limited to major events, like NFL games. A prop is when a bettor picks a statistical side like the number of yards a player will rush in a football game or the number of free throws a basketball player makes.
North Dakota Gambling History
North Dakota was one of the latest entries into legalized gambling in the US. In 1977, charitable gaming became legal. Available games for qualified nonprofit organizations include bingo, raffles, and blackjack. Bars and restaurants deal these blackjack games. The maximum bet is $25. Blackjack must pay 3/2.
Horse racing became legal in 1987. Live tracks, mobile apps, and OTBs are available.
In 1992, North Dakota permitted tribal casinos. All types of games are permitted, including slots, video poker, craps, roulette, and card games. North Dakota tribal casinos have bet limits of $25 for slots and video poker, $50 for roulette and poker pit games, $60 for craps, and $250 for blackjack, according to American Casino Guide.
The North Dakota Lottery launched in 2002. It is unique as it only sells lotto tickets. There are no instant scratch-off games. All drawings are from Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Lotto America, and 2by2.
In 2021, retail sports betting opened at tribal casinos. However, it was not legalized as much as the state’s tribes felt that it was covered by existing gaming compacts.
No North Dakota laws apply to daily fantasy sports. It operates under a skill game exemption from state gambling laws. DraftKings and FanDuel are among the operators.
The minimum age for North Dakota live horse racing bets, daily fantasy sports contests, and lottery tickets is 18. It is 19 for sports betting and tribal casinos. For charitable gaming, it is 18 for bingo and raffles, unless accompanied by an adult. Blackjack and other types of casino-style gambling related to charities is 21.
North Dakota Sports Betting FAQs
What are the legal requirements for North Dakota Sports betting?
North Dakota requires sports bettors to be at least 19 years old. While that is the minimum age set by the state, the tribal casinos may make it 21.
Is it legal to wager on college sports in North Dakota?
College sports betting is legal in North Dakota. It is up to each tribal sportsbook to determine the extent of its availability for in-state teams and props.
Is it legal to bet on horse races in North Dakota?
Horse racing has been legal in North Dakota since 1987. Bets are permitted at tracks, off-track betting parlors, and on mobile apps. The minimum age is 18 for live betting and 21 for off-track forms.
Are Daily Fantasy Sports legal in North Dakota?
Daily fantasy sports contests are not regulated in North Dakota. All major operators run contests there. The minimum age is 18.
Does North Dakota support responsible gaming?
Some gaming taxes fund responsible gambling services. If you need help with a gambling problem, call 1-800-662-4357.