Introduction to North Dakota Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018
North Dakota slot machine casino gambling currently consists of five Native American tribal casinos. As required by the negotiated state-tribal gaming compacts approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2013, gaming machines have a payout return between 80% and 100%. Slot machines at tribal casinos are allowed a maximum total bet of $25.
North Dakota also have a wide selection of sites, over 800 locations state-wide, for charitable gaming. Blackjack is common, as is bingo, pull tabs, punchboards, twenty-one, calcuttas, sports pools, paddlewheels, and poker. However, there are no legally-allowed slot machines at these locations.
There are also two racetrack pari-mutuel facilities, Chippewa Downs and North Dakota Horse Park, as well as a series of Off Track Betting locations in the state. Again, there are no legally-allowed slot machines at these locations.
This post continues the weekly blog series “Slot Machine Casino Gambling, State-By-State“, a year-long online resource project dedicated to guiding slot machine gambling enthusiasts to success.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in North Dakota*
The minimum legal age for gambling in North Dakota tribal casinos is 21. Most charitable gaming sites also have a minimum legal age of 21 restriction, with bingo being the exception where a minor may play bingo is accompanied by an adult.
On March 11, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Interior approved five negotiated state-tribal gaming compacts allowing Class III casino-style gambling at American Indian tribal casinos. At these tribal casinos, the maximum bet is limited to $25.
Video games of skill, such as video poker and video blackjack, have a minimum payout return of 83%. Typical slot machines are required via the state-tribal gaming compact to have a payout return of at least 80%.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in North Dakota
It is legal to privately own a slot machine in the state of North Dakota if it is 25 years old or older.
Gaming Control Board in North Dakota
The North Dakota state gaming commission is a division of The Attorney General’s Office. This Gaming Division is responsible for:
- Charitable Gaming
- Tribal Gaming
- North Dakota Lottery
With regards to Charitable Gaming:
“The Gaming division enforces and administers charitable gaming in North Dakota, performs audits and investigations of gaming organizations; reviews gaming tax returns, administrative complaints, and provides training for charitable gaming organizations.”
With regards to Tribal Gaming:
“The Gaming division also enforces the tribal-state gaming compacts, which authorize the state’s Native American tribes to conduct gaming at casinos on tribal land. The division conducts random inspections at the state’s five Indian Casinos to ensure game integrity and compliance with wager limits and prize payout ratios.”
With regards to the North Dakota Lottery:
“The North Dakota Lottery is responsible for administering, regulating, enforcing, and promoting the state’s lottery.”
Casinos in North Dakota
The largest casino in North Dakota is the Dakota Magic Casino Resort in Hankinson. It has 1,001 gaming machines and 18 table games. The second largest is Sky Dancer Hotel Casino & Resort in St. Michael. having 820 gaming machines and 10 table games.
The 5 casinos in North Dakota are:
- Dakota Magic Casino Resort in Hankinson;
- Four Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town;
- Grand Treasure Casino in Trenton;
- Prairie Knights Casino & Resort in Fort Yates; and
- Sky Dancer Hotel Casino & Resort in St. Michael.
Again, typical slot machines are required via the state-tribal gaming compact to have a payout return of at least 80%, with video games of skill being limited to 83%.
Monthly gaming statistics are not publicly available, as the state-tribal gaming compacts for these American Indian tribal casinos do not require them.
Summary of North Dakota Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018
North Dakota slot machine casino gambling currently consists of five tribal casinos. Typical slot machines are required to have a minimum payout return of 80%, or 83% for video poker, video blackjack, and other video games of skill. Maximum bets are $25.
North Dakota also have a wide selection of Charitable Gaming sites, two racetrack pari-mutuel facilities, and an assortment of Off Track Betting sites. However, slot machines are not legally allowed at these locations.
The largest casino in North Dakota is the Dakota Magic Casino Resort in Hankinson, which is 50 miles south of Fargo. The second largest is Sky Dancer Hotel Casino & Resort in St. Michael, located 120 miles northeast of Minot.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Main: Slot Machine Casino Gambling, State-By-State
- Previous: North Carolina Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018 – North Carolina slot machine casino gambling consists of two American Indian tribal casinos owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These North Carolina tribal casinos are not legally required to provide payback returns. However, they are required to be between 83% and 98%. Slot machines are video games of skill.
- Next: Northern Mariana Islands Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018 – Northern Mariana Islands slot machine casino gambling consists of 5 casinos on Saipan and 2 casinos on Tinian, 2 of 15 islands located 3/4 of the way between the Philippines and Hawaii. Other casinos include visiting cruise ships, casinos legally allowed to be open while docked, and an active casino junket industry.