Guide to North Dakota Betting: What are the Best North Dakota Sports Betting Sites?

North Dakota isn’t exactly known for having a large gambling industry, but the state does offer a surprising level of gaming options considering its small size. In saying this, sports betting is still illegal in the state, and our estimates suggest that this fact probably won’t change until at least 2021. For this reason, we have instead used this page to focus on the gambling options that are available whilst discussing when sports betting will arrive and what it might look like.

Of course, some gamblers may be tempted to choose one of the many sites that advertise online as being the best North Dakota online sportsbooks, but we’d recommend against this. This is because there is no such thing as legal North Dakota sports betting sites, so gambling with these companies is both unlawful and unsafe. Instead, why not legally gamble at a tribal casino, on the lottery, daily fantasy sports or horse racing?

Current North Dakota Sports Betting Situation

North Dakota’s current gambling laws are quite clear when it comes to sports betting being illegal. In fact, they are one of only several states that specifically mention wagering on sports as constituting illegal gambling. Unfortunately, there are currently no new bills to legalize sports betting being considered at the moment, with the last efforts being thwarted in 2019 by the state’s tribal gaming groups, Governor and college officials.

It’s hard to say, then, when there may be legal North Dakota sports betting sites. In some states, the use of offshore bookmakers is tolerated and will not result in fines or punishment, but as North Dakota explicitly outlaws sports betting, we do not recommend using these websites. In time, the best North Dakota online sportsbooks will be those that are licensed and regulated by the government, so it’s best to wait for new gambling laws or travel to a legal betting jurisdiction to place your bets.

Are North Dakota Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available

While North Dakota did discuss officially legalizing daily fantasy sports (DFS) for a number of years, it appears that lawmakers are instead choosing to simply tolerate the competitions. Although DFS may seem similar to sports betting, they are two vastly different activities. This is because DFS requires players to wager on fantasy lineups of teams and score points based on their chosen player’s performances, whereas sports betting is wagering on the outcome of a certain event.

Due to the skill involved in being successful at DFS, the game has been classified as not constituting gambling by most US states. The DFS platforms of sports betting giants DraftKings and FanDuel are available in North Dakota. Both sites allow players to draft teams from major sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB, and NHL. Signing up and playing DFS will not be punished by ND authorities.

North Dakota Online Casinos

It is illegal to gamble at online casinos in North Dakota, meaning that we are unable to recommend any North Dakota online gambling sites. If it’s legal casino gambling that you’re after, we suggest visiting one of the state’s many casinos that offer games such as slots and table games.

If you’re set on the online casino experience, locals are free to play casino games at online social casinos. These free-to-play websites give players the chance to play poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slots, and more with no risk of breaking the law. These casinos even offer chances for players to win money in occasional free sweepstakes games. The odds of online casinos being legalized in North Dakota are currently quite low due to the strong Tribal Gaming lobby.

Online State Lottery in North Dakota

North Dakota is a relative newcomer to the lottery system, only launching it’s lotto in 2002 after voters approved it in a referendum. However, North Dakota only allows multi-state and national draw games, meaning that players have no instant scratch card games or unique local draws with more favorable odds.

One particular upside to the North Dakota Lottery is that tickets can be bought online and through the official lottery mobile app. Tickets for games such as Mega Millions and Powerball can, therefore, be bought online without needing to visit a physical retailer. Games are overseen by the regulatory commission simply called the North Dakota Lottery.

Off Track Horse Betting in North Dakota

Wagering on horse racing is legal in North Dakota. There are two racetracks in the state, including the North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo and the Chippewa Downs track in Belcourt. Although races at both venues are sporadic, the tracks are open year-round to cater to simulcast wagering of national events.

North Dakotans are also able to bet at four off-track betting parlors and four licensed horse racing betting websites. This makes them the only licensed North Dakota gambling sites that are regulated by the North Dakota Racing Commission. Compared to most other US states, North Dakota’s horse race betting options are particularly liberal.

What Would Sports Betting in North Dakota Look Like?

Due to its small population, the demand for legal North Dakota sports betting sites is a lot less intense than it is for heavily-populated sports-loving states such as California or Texas. Nevertheless, there is still a growing push to legalize the industry, and if North Dakota’s gambling law history is to go by, the market will likely be regulated in due time.

What isn’t certain, though, is just how North Dakota will approach legalization, or what these legal sportsbooks will look like. Online wagering has proven to be a very popular and profitable aspect of legal states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, so it makes sense why North Dakota would want to push for this. However, it still needs to satisfy the needs of the local tribes and government, who may be less inclined to create such a liberal betting market.

Whatever the case, once it is legal, players are likely to be able to bet on most major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB). It’s possible that college division games will be banned from sportsbooks after local college officials voiced their opposition to sports betting legalization, but this may mean that bettors will be blocked from betting on local teams. A legal market will be regulated and overseen by the North Dakota State Gaming Commission to ensure that only the best online betting sites are committed to fair and safe practices.

Final Thoughts

Many were hoping that sports betting would be back on the table for 2020, though the unexpected early suspension of the legislative session has made this unlikely. Instead, we’re more likely to see talks around legal sports betting and expanded gambling in general in the 2021 legislative session. The closure of the gambling industry due to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to encourage tribal groups to boost revenues any way they can, which may mean creating a legal sports betting market. Until this happens, players should continue to enjoy legal betting on horse races, daily fantasy sports, the lottery, and in-person casino gambling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes, our readers still have questions about the ins and outs of gambling laws in our state gambling guides. For this reason, we’ve answered a few commonly asked questions about North Dakota’s gambling options and the laws surrounding online gambling and sports betting.