Greyhound Racing Ban Bill Falls Short in North Dakota
North Dakota lawmakers have rejected a bill aimed at limiting betting on international greyhound racing events.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The measure, which was a second part of Senate Bill 234, sought to outlaw Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) for greyhound racing bets. However, Yesterday, March 31, the House defeated the proposal by a 69-19 margin.
Even before the House voted on it, the bill had encountered strong opposition from North Dakota horsemen who cited concerns that losing licensed ADWs in the state would devastate live horse racing, as the racing commission relies heavily on tax revenue generated by the companies.
Also, several ADWs operating in North Dakota expressed their opposition in written letters, warning that they would likely relocate their operations if the legislation were enacted.
Supporters’ Rationale for the Bill
The bill was mainly championed by Grey2K USA, an animal welfare organization based in Massachusetts. According to the group, greyhound racing is a cruel sport, and North Dakotans should not condone it by allowing betting platforms to offer the event in the state.
Rep. Jared Hagert, who supported the bill in the House, emphasized that live horse racing should be the top priority for the North Dakota Racing Commission, rather than parimutuel wagering. He argued that the commission's funding should come from alternative sources rather than relying on ADWs.
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Another lawmaker backing the measure, Rep. Vicky Steiner, a Republican from Dickinson, urged the legislature to explore alternative ways to support horse racing in North Dakota. She suggested options like introducing historical horse racing games or finding new funding sources for live horse racing events.
Understanding ADWs
ADWs are online betting platforms that allow users worldwide to wager on horse and dog racing events. They can be based in any U.S. state but licensed in jurisdictions with established ADW regulatory processes, like North Dakota and Oregon.
Licensed ADWs in North Dakota are required to pay state taxes on their revenue and contribute to a chosen nonprofit organization within the state.
The taxes collected from ADWs are allocated to the state's general fund and the racing commission.
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