Sports Betting

Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in North Dakota

North Dakota sports betting offers zero welcome bonuses and is restricted to retail-only betting at 5 tribal casinos. There is no legal statewide mobile betting in North Dakota, you must physically visit a tribal casino to place any wager. The Peace Garden State is one of the most restrictive sports betting markets in America. At Shurzy, we keep it real: North Dakota sports betting barely exists.

Best Sports Betting Bonuses and Promos in North Dakota

Is Sports Betting Legal in North Dakota?

Yes, but only at tribal casinos. North Dakota never passed formal legislation legalizing sports betting. Instead, five federally recognized tribes began offering retail sportsbooks in December 2021 under existing tribal gaming compacts signed in 2013.

The gaming compacts include language authorizing sports betting as long as it "doesn't violate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act" (PASPA). After PASPA was overturned in 2018, tribes interpreted this clause as permission to launch sportsbooks without new state legislation—similar to New Mexico's tribal betting model.

North Dakota has 5 tribal casino sportsbooks: Dakota Magic Casino & Hotel (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Hankinson), 4 Bears Casino & Lodge (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, New Town), Sky Dancer Casino & Resort (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt), Grand Treasure Casino (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Trenton), and Spirit Lake Casino & Resort (Spirit Lake Tribe, Fort Totten).

Here's what you need to know:

Must be 19+ on tribal land, 21+ elsewhere (age reduced from 21 to 19 under 2022 gaming compact amendment)
Can only bet at retail locations at 5 tribal casinos
Can bet on pro sports but cannot bet on North Dakota State Bison (NDSU), University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (UND), or other in-state college teams
No statewide mobile betting exists
Tribal governments retain all revenue (no state tax)

North Dakota's 5 Tribal Sportsbooks (No Bonuses)

None of North Dakota's 5 tribal sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses. You will not find $1,500 first bet offers, bonus bet credits, or deposit matches. Tribal casinos occasionally run small promotions during major events like the Super Bowl ($10-$25 free play vouchers), but these are rare and not advertised.

1. Dakota Magic Casino & Hotel (Hankinson, southeast ND near SD border) - Launched December 1, 2021

2. 4 Bears Casino & Lodge (New Town, northwest ND near Fort Berthold Reservation)

3. Sky Dancer Casino & Resort (Belcourt, north-central ND near Canadian border)

4. Grand Treasure Casino (Trenton, northwest ND near MT border)

5. Spirit Lake Casino & Resort (Fort Totten, east-central ND)

Shurzy tip: There are zero bonuses in North Dakota. Not $50, not $25, not even $10 unless you're lucky during the Super Bowl. This is one of the worst betting markets in America.

North Dakota's Failed Attempts at Online Betting

North Dakota lawmakers have repeatedly tried and failed to legalize statewide online sports betting:

House Concurrent Resolution 3002 (2023): Proposed constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to legalize sports betting. House vote passed 49-44, Senate vote failed 16-30. The amendment needed a two-thirds majority in both chambers to reach voters.
Senate Bill 2358 (2023): Create a sports betting task force to develop an implementation plan for online betting. Never advanced.
HCR 3032 (2021): Referendum to put sports betting on the 2022 ballot. Passed House, narrowly defeated in Senate.
HB 1254 and HB 1295 (2019): HB 1254 would legalize sports betting on college and professional sports. Passed House, defeated in Senate 38-7 (landslide rejection). HB 1295 would legalize betting on professional sports only through charitable organizations. Died in committee.
Governor Burgum Rejected Tribal Online Request (2022): In late 2022, North Dakota's five gaming tribes requested amendments to their compacts that would grant them exclusive statewide online sports betting rights. Governor Doug Burgum rejected the request, stating: "While we understand and appreciate the desire by some of the tribes to extend online gaming beyond their reservation boundaries, a clear legal path does not exist for the governor to grant such a broad expansion of gaming in the compact."

Shurzy tip: North Dakota has tried to legalize online betting multiple times and failed every time. The earliest possible launch is 2026 or beyond, and that's only if the legislature actually puts a measure on the ballot. Don't hold your breath.

How to Bet in North Dakota

If you want to bet legally in North Dakota, here's what you're dealing with:

Travel to one of 5 tribal casinos (some located in remote areas)
Present ID (19+ on tribal land, 21+ outside)
Approach retail betting window
Deposit cash (most locations)
Place wager on professional or out-of-state college sports
Receive printed ticket
Return to window to collect winnings

These locations are spread across the state and not convenient for most North Dakota residents.

Shurzy tip: If you live in Fargo and want to bet legally, you're driving 1-2 hours minimum to reach a tribal casino. That's absurd. Most people just use DFS or drive to Minnesota where mobile betting exists.

Sports Betting Tips for North Dakota Bettors

North Dakota betting is barely functional, but here's how to make it work:

Use DFS instead. DraftKings DFS and FanDuel DFS operate legally in North Dakota with full statewide mobile access. PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy are also available.
Consider horse betting. North Dakota is a major hub for online horse betting licensing. The North Dakota Racing Commission licenses numerous online horse betting sites that accept wagers from across the country.
Watch for rare tribal casino promos. Tribal casinos occasionally offer $10-$25 free play vouchers during the Super Bowl or March Madness. These are rare and not advertised, but grab them if you see them.
Drive to Minnesota for real mobile betting. Minnesota launched statewide mobile sports betting in 2024. If you live near the border, it's easier to drive to Minnesota than deal with North Dakota's tribal restrictions.

Shurzy tip: North Dakota sports betting is broken. Five tribal casinos, no mobile betting, zero bonuses. If you're serious about betting, DFS is your best legal option or just drive to a state with actual mobile sportsbooks.

Responsible Betting in North Dakota

Tribal gaming compacts require each tribe to pledge $25,000 annually for gambling addiction programs.

If you need help, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7.

Final Take

North Dakota sports betting offers zero welcome bonuses and is restricted to retail-only betting at 5 tribal casinos. No statewide mobile betting exists. You must physically travel to tribal properties in Hankinson, New Town, Belcourt, Trenton, or Fort Totten to place any legal wager.

Most North Dakota residents use DFS platforms (legal), horse betting sites (legal), or drive to neighboring states with mobile betting. Keep it simple: if you want to bet on sports in North Dakota, use DFS or travel to Minnesota.

Shurzy tip: No spreadsheets, no stress. Just fast picks, good promos, and wins you can flex. That's the Shurzy way. (But honestly, North Dakota doesn't have picks, promos, or any real betting market, so maybe just skip this state entirely.)

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