North Dakota Takes Play From New Mexico, To Launch Tribal Sportsbooks

• North Dakota will be opening up two Tribal sportsbooks with IGT PlaySports as their operator.
• No legislation was passed in N.D. but the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians are expanding into sports betting as they see it as Class III gaming which they are allowed to offer under current compacts.
• Only land-based sports wagers will be available as mobile and internet platforms are prohibited.

BISMARK, N.D. – Two casinos in North Dakota have arranged a partnership with IGT PlaySports to offer sports betting venues at their establishments using IGT’s popular gaming product.

The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians took a page from their New Mexican brothers and have decided to open up sports betting to their patrons despite no legislation being passed in the state to allow this.

However, like in New Mexico, the Tribe in North Dakota is moving forward with this expansion as they are classifying wagering on sporting events to be a part of Class III gaming which they are allowed to offer under their current compact agreements.

Where In North Dakota Will Sports Betting Be Offered?

Grand Treasure Casino in Trenton and Sky Dancer Casino and Resort in Belcourt will each have PlaySports sports betting technology with self-service kiosks for customers to wager on sporting events. Trading services will also be available at these locations through the partnership with IGT.

“By leveraging IGT’s proven PlaySports solution, Turtle Mountain will launch an exciting sports betting operation at Grand Treasure and Sky Dancer casinos backed by best-in-class technology, services, and flexible self-service products,” said Jamie Azure, Chairman of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. “The addition of sports betting will expand our casino entertainment and offer our loyal patrons and sports fans alike new ways to play. IGT is the market leader in sports betting technology, and I am confident that with their proven experience and service, we will be able to implement and operate exciting and successful programs.”

What’s Next?

IGT is happy with the deal has them branching into the North Dakota sports betting market. Their ultimate goal as a company is to continue to increase their number of locations within the United States in order to have a foothold in the country.

North Dakota marks the 15th state that uses PlaySports technology for its sports wagering markets. Other states include Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

“IGT is excited to expand our sports betting footprint to North Dakota through this agreement with Turtle Mountain, and we’re happy to continue delivering our superlative PlaySports platform technology and services to casinos and venues of all sizes,” said Enrico Drago, IGT PlayDigital Senior Vice President. “Entering North Dakota is another significant milestone to add to IGT’s growing sports betting pedigree and reinforces our leadership as the principal B2B platform provider in the U.S.”

There is no word yet as to when the launch of these two sportsbooks in North Dakota is slated to occur. Only land-based sports betting will be available, as internet and mobile platforms are prohibited.

However, this does not change the fact that the people of the Peace Garden State now have a legal sports wagering industry to bet on future sports matchups which is a historical moment for sports bettors statewide to revel in.

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