Legal Poker For North Dakota Residents
North Dakota has several legal poker options for its residents. Players can play live poker games for real money at licensed Indian casinos. Alternatively, they can legally take part in charity poker games and home poker games. But the state has not yet legalized online poker.
On this page, we have discussed the legality of playing real money online poker at offshore online poker sites that accept North Dakota players. We have also presented a brief overview of land poker laws in the state. Besides, we have researched and listed several top-rated offshore online poker sites.
North Dakota Poker Laws & Statutes
Section 12.1-28-01(1) of North Dakota’s law contains a broad definition of gambling. Accordingly, risking anything of value on an event, the outcome of which depends wholly or partly on luck, is gambling and it is illegal unless done in licensed facilities. North Dakota law also states what it means by the term “gambling apparatus.” Accordingly, “gambling apparatus” is any device or equipment that is used in gambling activities.
Illegal gambling penalties for individual residents depend on how much money they have staked on the game. If players have staked less than $25 on a hand or a game, they will be let off without any penalty. But if they have staked more than $25 and less than $500, they will be guilty of an infraction, and if they have staked more than $500, they will be guilty of a Class A Misdemeanor.
The penalties for players are much lighter than the penalties for operators of illegal gambling facilities. The state does not hesitate to slap felony charges on those who operate illegal poker rooms within its jurisdiction.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in North Dakota?
Section 22-25A of North Dakota law makes it illegal for individuals or organizations to run online poker businesses. North Dakota just does not license, approve, or authorize anybody to run an online poker site even if it doesn’t accept bets from its residents. It is therefore illegal for North Dakota residents to play at unlicensed online poker sites based in North Dakota. In fact, if they come across such a business, they ought to bring it to the notice of the authorities.
Playing online poker for real money at offshore online poker sites, however, is perfectly safe and legal because no part of North Dakota’s law makes it illegal for residents to play for real money at offshore poker sites. The state cannot prosecute its residents for breaking laws that do not exist. North Dakota residents are safe as long as they stick to the legal offshore online poker sites we have mentioned here.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker North Dakota?
As previously mentioned, you will get into trouble only if you try to run an online poker site within North Dakota because the state has a law that clearly criminalizes such activities. You could also get into trouble if you try to place bets with an online poker business that is illegally operating in North Dakota. Players should understand that North Dakota does not have any legal online poker options.
North Dakota residents will never get into trouble if they play online poker for real money at offshore online poker sites. This is because the state has no laws criminalizing the act of playing real money poker at offshore online poker rooms. So far, the state has not charged any of its residents for doing so. The state cannot prosecute offshore online poker rooms for accepting its residents because they are not based in North Dakota and therefore have nothing to do with its laws.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept North Dakota Players
There has been an awakening in North Dakota. Now, hundreds of residents are trying out online poker every day and they are waiting for you to do the same with one of the great sites listed below. Each of our recommendations has been tested to ensure that each meets the standards required by the pickiest of online poker players. Best of all, all of these online poker sites are legal for North Dakota players.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For North Dakota
One of the sites that we most frequently send people to is Bovada. It’s simply the biggest and best site for online poker on the web. It truly can’t be beat. Great deposits, great tournaments, there just isn’t much else Bovada could do to earn our trust and recommendation that they haven’t already done in the 20 years they have been around.
Two decades of being the best poker room on the web sounds like a daunting task, but when you give your users back up to 1,000 dollars back with a 100% match bonus it gets a lot easier. Avid poker players truly can’t get enough of the legal online poker room because not only will you win money every time you win a game, you will get money simply for playing often enough. That’s right, as you play Bovada's online poker room will give you back pieces of your first deposit until you have the entire thing returned in full to you, usable at your discretion. Don’t want to take it out and spend it right away? Why not use it to win even bigger with their daily guaranteed tournaments.
BetOnline Poker - All North Dakota Players 18+ Welcome Here
Want a reliable, easy to use, and profitable legal poker site with plenty of challenging opponents? Then go to BetOnline right now. This legal online poker room not only attracts some of the best players in the U.S. they also offer plenty of opportunities to earn money while earning some bragging rights.
Perhaps what BetOnline is most famous for is their $250,000 dollars in guaranteed tournaments they offer year round. Most other sites won’t tell you how much they are going to offer but this site knows they have one of the biggest amounts of guaranteed tournament money out there so they are willing to show it off a bit. Ever wanted to earn a little money just because you are an exceptional poker player? Then BetOnline is the place for you as they often have skill challenges that change every once in a while. These challenges offer money to any player to can win the in the manner specified in the challenge. It is great fun and a way for frequent players to make a little extra cash.
| Legal North Dakota Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does North Dakota Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
North Dakota is home to plenty of licensed Indian casinos that offer live poker games for real money. Indian casinos can be found in places such as Grand Forks, New Town, Fargo, Minot, Williston, and Fort Yates. Some of the best Indian casinos for legal live poker are Dakota Magic Casino, Spirit Lake Casino, 4 Bears Casino, and Sky Dancer Casino.
Another legal way to play poker for real money in North Dakota is to register at a legal offshore online poker room. We have researched and listed several licensed and regulated offshore poker sites that accept North Dakota residents, and residents can choose any of them. These poker sites give top priority to customer satisfaction, security, responsible gambling, and fair play. They also run a number of lucrative cash games, SnGs, multi-table tournaments, qualifier satellites, and freerolls to help players plump their bankrolls.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For North Dakota Players
Players can play real money poker legally in North Dakota, but only at state-licensed Indian casinos with live poker rooms. North Dakota permits certain forms of charity gaming, and fortunately, that includes live poker games. Residents, therefore, can legally enjoy a charity poker tournament run by a licensed organization.
Residents can also take part in home poker games, provided the stakes are right. Betting over $25 on a hand makes the home poker game illegal. Needless to say, a home poker game also becomes illegal if the house makes a profit.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in North Dakota
North Dakota lawmakers have not made any public statement indicating the state’s interest in online poker legalization. It looks as if North Dakota is one of those states that are currently waiting to see if legalized online poker is going to be a success in states such as Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey. It looks as if it is just a matter of time before North Dakota agrees to form interstate gaming compacts with its neighbors. Right now, the state is least interested in proposing and passing any online poker bills.
