Charitable Gaming in North Dakota
Gambling in North Dakota is generally prohibited under the North Dakota Constitution.
Article XI, Section 25 states that the Legislative Assembly may not authorize any game of chance, lottery, or gift enterprise. However, the Constitution provides a limited and important exception: the Legislature may allow bona fide nonprofit organizations to conduct games of chance when all net proceeds are devoted to educational, charitable, patriotic, fraternal, religious, or other public-spirited purposes.
Because of this constitutional exception, charitable gaming in North Dakota is not commercial gambling. It exists to support communities. Eligible organizations — including veterans’, charitable, educational, religious, fraternal, civic, and service organizations — may operate approved games of chance only after obtaining the proper state license and local authorization and only if proceeds benefit the public.
Today, charitable gaming plays a significant role in supporting North Dakota communities.
- 300+ licensed charitable organizations are authorized to conduct games of chance
- Gaming activities occur at nearly 1,000 permitted locations statewide
Funds raised help support local schools, youth programs, veterans’ services, community projects, emergency response organizations, scholarships, and other public-spirited causes across the state.
The North Dakota Attorney General’s Gaming Division regulates and oversees charitable gaming to ensure fairness, integrity, and compliance with state law, while helping nonprofit organizations raise funds that directly benefit North Dakota communities.