Warning of revenues losses at tribal casinos, North Dakota newspaper praises lawmakers for rejecting a bill that would have authorized up to six non-Indian facilities in the state:
North Dakota allows for a multi-state lottery and charitable gaming. There are tribal-run casinos on the reservations and most North Dakotans don’t have to travel too far to reach one. If a North Dakotan wants to wager money it’s not difficult to do. The amended resolution would have allowed no more than six private casinos at least 40 miles from the reservations. The resolution would have created a state commission to regulate the industry. Under the resolution, voters would have been asked in 2018 to amend the state Constitution to allow the casinos. The vote wasn’t close, as legislators voted 28-63 to reject House Concurrent Resolution 3033. The primary sponsor was House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo. Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot, told the House that he hadn’t noticed a public demand for more casinos. The Tribune concurs. If there were casinos established they would bring revenue to the state. It’s questionable how much. They would dilute the revenue earned by tribal casinos, but how much new revenue they would generate remains unknown. The more casinos the less money they will likely each get. Who knows how many would survive.Read More on the Story:
Editorial: House wise not to open door to more casinos (The Bismarck Tribune 3/30)
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