Prairie Public Broadcasting

Bill to end state Gaming Commission rejected BISMARCK, ND (NDPR) - An interim Legislative committee has turned down a bill draft to change who regulates charitable gambling in North Dakota.

Right now, a five-member Gaming Commission oversees the industry. The five members are appointed by the Governor, and the Commission writes the rules. The bill draft being considered by the interim Judiciary Committee would instead abolish the Gaming Commission and replace it with a seven-member advisory board. The board's members would be appointed by the Attorney General. And the Attorney General would write the rules.

Gaming Commission members argued that the system as is works well -- and doesn't need to be changed. Commission chairman James Wang of Minnewaukan says the charities are worried about having their voices heard through a new regulatory scheme.

"How will they be represented?" asked Wang. "Call the Attorney General's office and get a direct link to that rule-making authority? Why bother with the advisory committee because they don't have any teeth anyway -- they're just lap dogs of the Attorney General's office."

Judiciary Committee members say they had envisioned an "umbrella" committee that would cover charitable gaming, racing and the lottery -- but this wouldn't do that. And the Attorney General's office says the current Gaming Commission works -- so there's no need to change.

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