SEPTEMBER 1, 2023:
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers are beginning a study of the state’s charitable gambling issues after electronic pull tabs have boomed since first appearing in 2018. Key issues are where the flashy devices can be located, and what organizations can conduct charitable gambling. Proposed legislation to come from the study would go to the next legislative session in 2025. The machines in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, generated nearly $2 billion of gross proceeds, including cash and replayed winnings. Of that, $205 million went to charities, including over $72 million specifically for charitable purposes. E-tabs number 4,700 machines statewide in North Dakota.
DECEMBER 5, 2022:
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota legislative panel has refused to change a rule that creates a moratorium on electronic pull tab machines at gas stations and liquor, grocery and convenience stores. Lobbyists and some lawmakers have promised that the issue will come up again in the next legislative session. The bipartisan Administrative Rules Committee supported the North Dakota Gaming Commission vote to alter the definition of a bar to clarify where the Las Vegas-style games that mimic slot machines will be allowed. The new rule specifies that a bar does not include gas stations and liquor, grocery and convenience stores.
MAY 20, 2022:
BISMARCK,N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Gaming Commission endorsed a rule change that creates a moratorium on electronic pull tab machines at gas stations and liquor, grocery and convenience stores. The commission voted Thursday (May 19, 2022) to alter the definition of a bar to make clear where the games that mimic slot machines will be allowed. Lawmakers are expected to address the issue when the Legislature reconvenes next year. Attorney General Drew warned commissioners that without an immediate definition change, North Dakota would see an explosion of the Las Vegas-style machines and not enough regulators to keep tabs on them.
MAY 16, 2022:
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators want to change the definition of a bar to make clear where electronic pull tab machines will be allowed. Regulators have identified a handful of gas stations and convenience stores that have begun selling and serving booze so that they can put the wildly popular Las Vegas-style games that mimic slot machines in their businesses. The idea for the rule change is to clarify and preserve the intent of the Legislature when it defined a bar as a “retail alcoholic beverage establishment where alcoholic beverages are dispensed and consumed.” Gamblers are on track to wager $1.8 billion in the machines this fiscal year. The North Dakota Gaming Commission scheduled a Thursday (May 19, 2022) meeting at the state Capitol to discuss the proposed changes and to take public comments.
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