A section of a bill discussing casino expansion in the state has been stripped away
A proposal that could have paved the way for a new tribal casino in Grand Forks County has likely been shelved for the foreseeable future, following a decisive defeat in the North Dakota House of Representatives. On Wednesday, lawmakers voted 66-26 to strike Division C of Senate Bill 2018 — an appropriations bill that included language supporting the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa’s casino expansion efforts beyond tribal land.
This vote marks the second setback for the proposal, which had already failed earlier this year in the form of SB 2376 — a standalone bill that was rejected in the Senate by a 29-15 margin in February. In an effort to keep the idea alive, supporters tucked the casino provision into SB 2018, arguing it was a step toward economic development and tribal sovereignty.
Rep. Emily O’Brien, who championed the measure, emphasized the potential benefits for both the local and tribal communities. She framed the proposal as a way to support economic opportunity, noting that tribal casinos fund vital services on reservations, including education, health care, and addiction treatment.
However, opponents expressed concerns over the broader implications. They argued that breaking from the precedent of keeping tribal gaming within reservation boundaries could undermine North Dakota’s carefully balanced gambling framework.
Rep. Nels Christianson warned that the move could trigger a wave of off-reservation casino proposals across the state, potentially disrupting the charitable gaming sector and leading to a casino arms race among tribes.
With the vote against Division C, the path forward for a Grand Forks-area tribal casino now appears closed — at least for the current legislative session.
