• Research

    State of Play

    Explore the national and state-by-state impact of the casino gaming industry, as well as key regulatory and statutory requirements in each state.

    • Number of Casinos 11

    • Economic Impact $360.2 Million

    • Jobs Supported 3,415

    • Tax Impact & Tribal Revenue Share $61.2 Million

    • Gross Gaming Revenue $243.8 Million (2016)

    Size of circle indicates number of casinos in the area.

    All location data is as of Dec. 31, 2023.

    North Dakota has tribal-state gaming compacts with five tribes:

    • Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe;
    • Spirit Lake Tribe;
    • Standing Rock Sioux;
    • Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara); and
    • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

    The five tribal-state compacts are substantially similar. The compacts allow for Class III gaming including: electronic games of chance, blackjack, poker, pari-mutuel wagering, sports and Calcutta pools, pull-tabs or breakopen tickets, raffles, keno, punchboards, paddlewheels, craps and roulette.

    There are no limits on the amount of machines, tables or other gaming devices tribes may operate. There are some limits on wagers for individual games, described in Section 3.2 of the compacts.

    Tribal councils will license, operate and regulate all Class III gaming activities. Tribal gaming commissions are tasked with day-to-day regulation of all tribal gaming activities. The state also serves a limited role in regulation of tribal gaming in North Dakota.

    All five of the compacts originally went into effect in 2013, with 10 year terms. New amendments to the compacts were approved and went into effect on December 19, 2022. The compacts can be automatically renewed after an initial 10 year term for subsequent terms of 10 years after written notice during the final year of compact term.

    AVAILABLE GAMING LICENSES
    Provider of Class III Gaming Equipment or Supplies License
    Management Company License

    For more information on available gaming licenses, see Regulatory Fact Sheet.

    REVENUE SHARE
    Tribes in North Dakota do not share revenue generated by Class III gaming with the state.

    TAX PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
    No

    WITHHOLDINGS ON WINNINGS
    Whenever required by federal law to issue an IRS Form W2G, the tribe has to also provide a copy of the same report to North Dakota.

    TRIBAL USE OF REVENUE
    At least 10 percent of revenue from tribal gaming operations must be used on tribal programs for economic development and social welfare. Tribes must provide annual reports to the state detailing the designated usage of economic development funds

    STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENT
    Not required by compact, but compact does note voluntary donations.

    SELF-EXCLUSION
    Compacts do not require tribes to set up self-exclusion programs.

    COMPLIMENTARY ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
    Must comply with state liquor laws. Some reservations are dry.

    ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS
    None

    ON-PREMISE DISPLAY REQUIREMENT
    None

    AGE RESTRICTIONS
    Persons must be 19 years of age to participate in Class III gaming.

    OPERATION ON HOLIDAYS
    Yes

    TESTING REQUIREMENTS
    Electronic gaming machines and bill acceptors must be certified by an independent testing laboratory.

    ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REQUIREMENTS
    Federal compliance requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act.

    SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS
    Federal shipping requirements under the Johnson Act apply.

    RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
    Yes

     

    CREDIT OFFERED TO PATRONS
    No

    SMOKING BANS
    No

    CASHLESS GAMING & ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS
    Yes. However, cryptocurrency is not currently accepted as a form of payment for gambling transactions.

    AUTHORIZED OPERATORS
    Tribal casinos

    MOBILE/ONLINE
    Tribes are permitted to conduct mobile sports betting within the boundaries of their reservations.

    TAX RATE
    N/A

    INITIAL LICENSING FEE
    N/A

    LICENSE RENEWAL FEE
    N/A

    AMATEUR RESTRICTIONS
    None

    TAX ON PROMOTIONAL CREDITS
    No

    AGE RESTRICTIONS
    Must be 19 years old.