From the red river valleys of Fargo, to the badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Rough Rider State is one of the most beautiful and harsh landmasses in the country. When winter brings in the blizzards, there is nothing better than stoking the fireplace and venturing online to play on a legal North Dakota gambling site. North Dakota is home to a smattering of land-based Indian casinos, but these online gambling sites are where the real action is located.
Our guide to North Dakota's gambling code will inform North Dakota residents about the federal and state laws that encompass gambling. After reading this, residents will know exactly why they are able to use legal North Dakota gambling sites without risk. Take the time to engrain these law sections in to your memory to eliminate trepidation eliminated from your endeavors.
North Dakota’s gambling laws are tolerant, and less restrictive than many states. Indian casinos owned by Native American tribes may operate, and there are five in the state. There is no law against using legal online gambling sites that accept North Dakota players either, so you don’t have to worry about the state coming after you. There are only a few laws that directly target gambling, and they are there to ensure immoral rackets aren’t set up in the state. Below we will look at some of the sections of the state law that apply to the average gambler.
Section 12.1-28-01-1 - This section defines “gambling” as risking anything of value contingent upon a game of chance. Every state gambling law has a definition of gambling, and most of them are the same. North Dakota follows the usual definition, but also points out that lawful contests of skill are not considered gambling. This section only defines gambling so the word is useable throughout the rest of the statutes; it does not assume any penalties for taking part in gambling activities.
Section 12.1-28-02 - Offenses relating to gambling make up this section. Engaging in wagering on private premises where the amount bet exceeds $25 per hand, game, or event is not allowable. Therefore, if you are playing a home game of poker at home, or betting on sports with friends, make sure the stakes stay low. Luckily, this section has no effect on playing online. You can wager as much as you would like on the many legal North Dakota gambling sites.
Section 12.1-28-01-3 - This section defines a “gambling house” as any location wherein gambling is promoted, or a wagering apparatus is found, EXCEPT when in a private residence. This is important because, without that second caveat, one could assume that owning some dice or poker chips could be considerable to be unlawful. This is not the case, and this section only means to limit underground wagering rackets from multiplying.
Section 12.1-28-02-3 - This section targets the operators of independent, land-based gambling houses. Felony charges are in store for anyone that takes bets from another person (bookies) or conducts a betting pool (facilitators). You have nothing to worry about, as this in no way affects the ability to play online at any of the legal gambling sites that accept North Dakota residents.
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Wire Act – The first of three laws that regulate gambling, The Wire Act of 1961 came into existence to battle organized crime. The Act has no effect on players using legal North Dakota online gambling venues. During the early 20th century, much of the organized crime involved in gambling used wire communication devices for racketeering. The Wire Act criminalizes the use of these devices, and in effect limits a substantial amount of mob activity.
PASPA – The Wire act dismantled one of the mobs main tools for racketeering, but sports betting was still fertile ground for criminal activity. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 was congress’ way of regulating land-based sports betting in the states. As of 1992, the only states that allow sport-wagering events on land are Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. Therefore, we all are lucky to have the legal online sportsbooks that accept North Dakota residents, as there are no on-ground venues available.
UIGEA – The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006 holds the statutes that confuse people the most. The truth is much simpler than the fiction that unlearned non-professionals spread. The UIGEA does NOT restrict you from using the many legal gambling sites for North Dakota citizens. The Act only insists that these online establishments do not function inside the US, meaning they cannot set up shop in your state. The legal ones all operate outside of the US, in places where they are able to function lawfully. The UIGEA, or any other doctrine, does not restrict citizens from using these sites.
If there is one law you need to keep in mind for legal North Dakota gambling and it is the state gambling age. Always be sure to follow only the state’s listed minimum age, not the sites. The legal age in North Dakota is 21, so be sure to adhere to this. Many sites only require you to be 18, but to be safe, only take part if you are 21 or older.
By now, you probably realize that there are no statutes restricting you from playing at the legal gambling sites that accept North Dakota citizens. These sites have been around for a long time, serving up innovative wagering action, and show no signs of slowing down. Check out our review pages to see which sites deliver the best bang your buck, and let us tell you that, if this is your first time playing online, you are in for a treat.
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