BISMARCK — North Dakota senators overwhelmingly rejected a bill legalizing professional and collegiate sports betting Monday, March 25.
House Bill 1254 was prompted by the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling unconstitutional a federal law that largely outlawed sports betting. Proponents argued it would generate money for charitable gaming organizations, addiction services and state coffers.
The bill, sponsored by Bismarck Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, would have allowed charitable gaming organizations to offer wagers on the outcome of athletic events.
The head of the North Dakota University System, however, came out against the bill after consulting with campus presidents. Chancellor Mark Hagerott previously said allowing bets on collegiate sports could lead to tampering with athletic events and put added pressure on student athletes.
The NCAA "opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering, which has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community," according to its website.
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The bill failed with no debate on the Senate floor in a 38-7 vote. Belcourt Democratic Sen. Richard Marcellais said sports betting is "bad for social, economic and governmental policy."
Dockter's bill was one of two sports betting bills introduced this session. The House already defeated legislation limiting bets to professional sports.
