North Dakota Sports Betting 2025: Legal Status & ND Sportsbooks
LEGAL (LIMITED)
North Dakota sports betting is legal at tribal casinos, but online sportsbooks remain off-limits for now. Find alternative markets here.
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Last Updated: 21 August, 2025
Yes, sports betting is legal at select tribal casinos in North Dakota.
It began in December 2021 through agreements between tribal nations and the state.
Online or mobile betting, however, remains illegal across the rest of the state.
Key facts of North Dakota betting
*DFS operates in a legal gray area; no law prohibits it, and major platforms accept ND players.
How do I gamble in North Dakota?
Sports betting in North Dakota is limited to in-person betting at tribal casinos.
The state has not passed any laws to allow online or mobile sportsbooks.
However, other legal gambling options are available both on and off tribal lands.
Daily fantasy sports in North Dakota
Daily fantasy sports aren’t regulated in North Dakota, but they’re not banned either.
Major operators like PrizePicks, Underdog, and Fliff accept users from the state.
Players can join contests for real money without any legal risk.
Other legal gambling options
North Dakota has five tribal casinos offering slots, table games, poker, and retail sportsbooks.
There are also charitable casinos with electronic pull-tabs, blackjack, and bingo.
Horse racing bets are legal at live tracks, OTBs, and online through platforms like TVG and FanDuel Racing.
Social sportsbooks like Fliff are also legal to use and require no real-money deposits.
You must be 21 or older to place sports bets at tribal casinos in North Dakota.
This age limit is written into each tribe’s gaming compact with the state.
The same age rule applies to all casino gambling on tribal land.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, but you’ll need to cross state lines to do it legally.
North Dakota doesn’t allow mobile betting apps or online sportsbooks, so out-of-state travel is your only online option.
Many nearby states have legal sports betting in place.
South Dakota offers retail betting in Deadwood and on tribal land, though mobile betting is limited to casino properties.
Montana allows sports betting through the state-run Sports Bet Montana platform, available at licensed retail locations.
Minnesota and Canada (Manitoba) are potential future options, but neither offers mobile betting to North Dakotans as of now.
If you travel to a state with legal online sportsbooks, like Colorado, you can sign up, deposit, and bet as long as you're physically located within that state.
Just remember: it’s illegal to use a VPN or spoof your location to access out-of-state apps from North Dakota.
Betting sites to avoid
Because North Dakota doesn’t allow online sportsbooks, some people turn to offshore sports betting sites that claim to accept local players.
These platforms operate without US oversight, meaning there’s no guarantee your money or data is safe.
They may also advertise misleading bonuses or skip payouts.
⚠️ Always avoid unlicensed offshore sportsbooks — they’re not legal or secure for North Dakota players. ⚠️
Pros and cons of North Dakota sports betting
Pros
- ✅ Legal retail sportsbooks available at tribal casino properties
- ✅ Horse race betting allowed online and at tracks
Cons
- ❌ No mobile or online sportsbooks allowed statewide
- ❌ Tribal betting access limited by location and number
Latest sports betting updates in North Dakota
The future of North Dakota sports betting
Sports betting is already live in North Dakota, but only at tribal casinos.
The big question now is whether statewide online and mobile betting will become legal.
So far, lawmakers have rejected efforts to put online sports betting on the ballot.
The most recent attempt in 2024 failed in the House, blocking a public vote for at least another two years.
Without a constitutional amendment approved by voters, online sportsbooks can’t legally operate in the state.
Despite that, there’s growing interest from both lawmakers and the public.
More tribal casinos are also considering retail sportsbooks, and partnerships with major online sportsbook brands could increase pressure on legislators.
Based on current momentum, we expect another push for mobile betting in the next legislative session, but legal online apps likely won’t launch before 2026.
Other types of legal betting in North Dakota
While sports betting isn’t legal statewide in North Dakota, a few other types of gambling are allowed, including horse racing, daily fantasy contests, and charitable gaming.
Horse racing
North Dakotans can bet on horse races at two live tracks, Chippewa Downs in Belcourt and North Dakota Horse Park in Fargo.
Pari-mutuel wagering is offered during live races each summer.
There are also several off-track betting (OTB) locations around the state.
Online betting is legal through platforms like TVG, FanDuel Racing, and TwinSpires.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS contests operate in a legal gray area in North Dakota.
There’s no law banning them, and state regulators haven’t interfered.
Players can enter contests on major platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog, and Fliff.
While unregulated, these sites are widely available to ND residents.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is allowed on live and simulcast horse racing events.
All wagers go into a shared pool, and payouts are based on total betting activity.
This format is used both at tracks and OTBs.
It’s also available through licensed online horse betting platforms.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Licensed charities in North Dakota can run bingo nights, paddlewheels, raffles, and electronic pull-tab games.
These games are limited in scope and payout by law, but are widely available at bars and social venues.
They offer a legal form of gambling for adults statewide.
Yes. Social sportsbooks like Fliff operate legally in North Dakota using virtual coins and sweepstakes mechanics.
These platforms don’t use real-money betting, so no gambling license is required.
Players can place picks and win sweepstakes prizes or redeemable points.
Fliff and Chalkboard are two of the most popular options available.
While not traditional sportsbooks, they offer a legal sports gaming experience.
How to start betting in North Dakota
While some guides may suggest you can bet on sports from your phone in North Dakota, you cannot, and we’ll only show you real, legal ways to gamble, which may not involve online sportsbooks.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS contests are widely available in North Dakota, even though they aren’t officially regulated.
Platforms like PrizePicks, Underdog, and Fliff let users create player-based lineups and enter contests for cash or prizes.
Most offer free-to-play modes and promos for new users.
If you’re looking for a skill-based way to play, DFS is a top choice.
Online horse race betting
Online betting on horse racing is fully legal in the state.
You can sign up on platforms like TVG, FanDuel Racing, and TwinSpires.
These sites offer live streaming, race-day stats, and access to tracks around the world.
Just create an account, deposit funds, and start betting legally from home.
Charitable gambling
North Dakota has dozens of small charitable gaming venues in towns and cities statewide.
These often combine bingo, blackjack, raffles, and pull-tab machines in a social setting.
All profits support local nonprofits, and games are regulated by the state.
Popular locations include King Pin Casino, Rumors Sports Bar, and Lucky Strike Lounge.
Social sportsbooks
Social betting apps like Fliff are legal alternatives to real-money sportsbooks.
They use a sweepstakes model with two types of coins, some for fun, others that can be redeemed for prizes.
These platforms let you bet on sports legally without risking real money.
You don’t need to be 21 to join, but you must verify your identity to redeem winnings.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
While North Dakota doesn’t allow mobile sportsbooks, you can bet legally in other states.
South Dakota offers retail sportsbooks in Deadwood.
If you travel farther, like to Colorado, you’ll find fully legal online betting.
Just make sure you’re physically located in those states when using sportsbook apps, and never use a VPN to bypass geolocation rules.
North Dakota DFS
Daily fantasy sports aren’t formally regulated in North Dakota, but major operators are active in the state.
You can legally enter contests and claim prizes from trusted DFS platforms.
1. PrizePicks
PrizePicks offers player-focused fantasy contests where you pick over/under stats instead of building full lineups.
You can combine picks from multiple sports into one entry, and payouts can reach 10x your stake.
The app is user-friendly and allows free-to-play options with promo rewards.
It's legal in North Dakota and widely used by casual and competitive players alike.
Top features
Player prop fantasy instead of team lineups
Mix picks across different sports
Quick results with same-day contests
Free entries with promos and bonuses
Clean, mobile-first design
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Easy format for beginners
- ✅ Fast payouts and low minimums
Cons
- ❌ Limited game variety
- ❌ No traditional salary-cap contests
2. Underdog
Underdog specializes in Best Ball drafts and daily pick'em games.
In Best Ball, you draft once and let the platform set your best lineup each week.
Their pick'em contests focus on player stats, much like PrizePicks.
The app is polished and caters to users who want long-term or single-day action.
Top features
Best Ball contests with automatic scoring
Clean, intuitive mobile app
Player prop pick'em options
Frequent deposit promos
Great for NFL and NBA fans
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Unique draft formats
- ✅ Legal and active in North Dakota
Cons
- ❌ No traditional fantasy leagues
- ❌ Less variety in minor sports
3. Fliff
Fliff is a social sportsbook that blends DFS-style play with sweepstakes prizes.
You place picks using virtual coins, some earned freely, others available through purchase.
Real-money redemption is possible through their sweepstakes model.
It’s an easy, legal way to get a sportsbook feel without breaking ND laws.
Top features
Legal sweepstakes-based betting
Free and paid virtual currency options
User-friendly interface and sports variety
Offers leaderboards and daily challenges
Real prize redemptions with Fliff Cash
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ No risk to play
- ✅ Real prizes available through sweepstakes
Cons
- ❌ No cash betting
- ❌ Must verify ID to redeem prizes
Types of bets in North Dakota
While only retail sportsbooks are legal in North Dakota, most locations offer a full range of standard bet types.
Here are the most common options:
Moneyline: A simple bet on which team or player will win. Odds are based on the likelihood of each outcome.
Point spread: You bet on a team to win by more than the spread or lose by less. It helps even the odds between mismatched teams.
Over/under: Also called totals, you bet on whether the final score will be over or under a set number.
Futures: Long-term bets on season outcomes like the Super Bowl winner or MVP. These bets are made well before the event concludes.
Parlays: A combo bet that links multiple picks together. All must win for you to get paid, but payouts can be much bigger.
Prop bets: These focus on specific outcomes within a game, like who scores first or how many passing yards a QB gets.
Live betting: Also called in-game betting, it lets you place wagers while the game is happening. Odds update in real time.
How to bet responsibly in North Dakota
Even though sports betting is limited in North Dakota, gambling can still become a problem for some players.
Whether you visit a tribal casino, play DFS, or use a sweepstakes app, it’s important to stay in control.
North Dakota and national organizations offer help for those experiencing gambling-related harm.
Support is free, private, and always available.
North Dakota resources:
ND Department of Human Services: www.hhs.nd.gov
North Dakota Gambling Helpline: 2-1-1 or (800) 472-2911
GamblerND (North Dakota Problem Gambling Program): www.gamblernd.com
National organizations:
National Council on Problem Gambling: www.ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous: www.gamblersanonymous.org
GamTalk (Peer Support): www.gamtalk.org
Warning signs include:
Gambling more than you can afford to lose
Chasing losses with more bets
Lying to friends or family about your gambling
Feeling stressed or anxious when you can’t bet
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Help is available 24/7, and recovery is possible.
Read our expert guide to responsible betting here.
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