North Dakota Legislature

  • The North Dakota online sports betting measure, HCR 3002, did not receive enough votes to pass in the House.
  • Mississippi is introducing another online sports betting bill, despite having failed expansion many times before.

JACKSON, Miss.North Dakota sports bettors saw their hopes for mobile betting dashed this week as the state legislature overwhelmingly rejected a resolution. The measure – HCR 3002 – would have put the issue to a vote in 2026 but the House of Representatives defeated it by a 63-24 vote on Wednesday.

Advocates of the North Dakota sports betting resolution, like Rep. Scott Louser, argued that allowing voters to decide the issue could have generated significant tax revenue for public education. But opponents raised concerns over gambling addiction, particularly among young people, and the potential impact on charitable gaming operations.

Tribal casinos remain the only brick and mortar sports betting venues in North Dakota, but their offerings are limited to what mobile platforms provide.

Mississippi Trying Again

The rejection stands in stark contrast to developments in Mississippi, where lawmakers are once again trying for a statewide mobile sports betting addition – a move that could finally modernize the state’s crumbling landscape.

Democratic Rep. Cedric Burnett reintroduced House Bill 682, which would allow licensed casinos and sportsbook operators to offer mobile wagering to anyone within state lines.

Mississippi already permits in-person sports betting at casinos, but the lack of mobile betting is a glaring gap in a state where demand is growing.

Under Burnett’s proposal, mobile operators would face an 8% tax on monthly revenues exceeding $134,000, with the proceeds earmarked for state programs. This low tax number pales in comparison to other states with legal sports betting.

However, the bill faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where opposition has remained steady. Critics, including Senate Gaming Committee Chairman David Blount, argue that legal Mississippi sports betting from an online standpoint fails to deliver the same economic benefits as retail casinos (tourism, jobs).

The Bottom Line

The divide between North Dakota and Mississippi highlights the broader challenges facing the expansion into mobile sports betting in smaller markets with high Native American casino control. Face an uphill battle, bettors in both states should keep an eye on legislative developments, as they could significantly shape legal sports betting in their region.

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