North Dakota will debate a bill proposing to end the state’s gambling commission in an effort to streamline the sector’s regulations.
The bill details an overhaul of the gambling industry’s regulation. It aims to abolish the state Gaming Commission and pass administrative responsibility to the Attorney General.
Senators Janne Myrdal and Larry Luick introduced Senate Bill 2224 (SB 2224). The bill was approved for further debate on January 28, 2025, after passing a 4-3 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Myrdal, primary sponsor of the bill, said: “This came to me from some concerned entities that felt like this particular commission in its duties, which they faithfully execute, is really a step that we can eliminate in the gaming industry.”
SB 2224 is scheduled for review by lawmakers, and it is expected to take place on January 29, 2025, before the bill is sent to the Senate Floor.
The current framework operates as follows: The Attorney General proposes changes, which are then reviewed by the independent commission, which accepts or rejects them. If approved, the Attorney General’s office sends the rules to the Administrative Rules Committee.
The proposed changes would essentially eliminate the middleman, expediting the rollout of gambling rules. The Attorney General would be able to create and approve legislative actions, such as lowering the legal age limit for gambling from 21 to 19 in North Dakota.
While the changes would allow rules to be approved faster, some have raised concerns over how the bill could usher in a lack of accountability and potential abuse of power.
Scott Meske, a North Dakota Gaming Alliance lobbyist, said: “Our founders knew that it would be a bad idea to give too much power to one single body.”
In other news, IGT brings PlaySports into North Dakota.
