No more Gaming Commission? North Dakota mulls major overhaul
North Dakota lawmakers are considering a major change in how the state oversees gambling. A new proposal seeks to dissolve the state’s Gaming Commission and transfer its responsibilities to the Attorney General’s Office.
If passed, , introduced by Senator Janne Myrdal (featured in the image above), would eliminate the Gaming Commission, which currently reviews gambling regulations before they become law. Instead, the Attorney General’s Office would take full control of setting and enforcing gambling rules.
The bill recently received a narrow 4-3 approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee and will soon be debated on the Senate floor.
Why the change?
Senator Myrdal, who introduced the bill, explained that the proposal is part of a broader effort to evaluate and streamline state boards and commissions.
Supporters of the bill argue that the Gaming Commission is no longer necessary and that the Attorney General’s Office is already heavily involved in gambling regulation.
Currently, the drafts gambling rules, which then go to the Gaming Commission for approval before they are sent to the Administrative Rules Committee for final adoption. Under the proposed system, the Attorney General’s Office would be able to approve rules directly, cutting out an extra layer of bureaucracy.
Would the Attorney General’s office be overwhelmed?
Deb McDaniel, North Dakota’s Director of Charitable Gaming, reassured lawmakers that the Attorney General’s Office can handle the additional responsibilities.
She pointed out that the Gaming Commission’s primary function is approving administrative rules, a task that could easily be absorbed into the existing structure.
McDaniel also highlighted a serious problem the Gaming Commission has been facing: vacant positions. The commission needs all five of its members to be present in order to approve new rules, but it hasn’t had a full panel since 1 January 2023. With two seats still unfilled, some regulatory updates have been delayed due to a lack of votes.
Concerns from the gambling industry
Not everyone is convinced that dissolving the Gaming Commission is a good idea.
Scott Meske, a lobbyist for the North Dakota Gaming Alliance, warned that the move could consolidate too much power within a single office. He stressed the importance of checks and balances in government decision-making, especially in an industry as heavily regulated as gambling.
While some stakeholders worry about losing oversight, McDaniel reassured them that the Administrative Rules Committee would still provide oversight. She added that the public and industry stakeholders would still have opportunities to provide input on rule changes before they are finalised.
What’s next?
With the bill now headed for debate in the North Dakota Senate, both supporters and opponents are watching closely to see how lawmakers will vote.
If passed, this would mark a major shift in the state’s approach to gambling regulation. Supporters say it will make the process more efficient, while critics warn it could concentrate too much power in the Attorney General’s Office.
As the debate continues, gambling industry leaders, state officials, and the public will be weighing in on whether this is the right move for North Dakota’s gaming future.
