North Dakota may eliminate its Gaming Commission and place all authority to regulate gambling with the state Attorney General’s Office if a proposed bill moves forward.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday gave a do-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2224 by a vote of 4-3. The bill seeks to streamline the gambling regulation process by eliminating the state Gaming Commission. Several legislators questioned what benefit the Commission provides, but the gambling industry warned the bill would remove key checks on the attorney general’s power.
The Gaming Commission is an independent entity whose members are appointed by the governor. The Commission acts as an added buffer between the Attorney General’s Office and the Administrative Rules Committee comprised of legislators.
