AN ACT to amend and reenact subdivision a of subsection 1 of section 53-06.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the limitation on the value of a primary prize a permitted organization conducting gaming may award.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Landon Bahl and 7 co-sponsors

ND HB 1192 raises local public-spirited gaming prize caps: primary prize to $15,000 (from $8,000) and annual prizes to $50,000 (from $40,000); raffles under ch. 20.1-08 excluded.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18

Main purpose

HB 1192 raises the statutory caps on prizes that locally permitted "public‑spirited" organizations may award when conducting authorized gaming (bingo, raffles, sports pools, paddlewheels, twenty‑one, poker). The change expands the maximum single (primary) prize and the aggregate annual prize limit for those organizations.

Key provisions

Adjusts prize limits in NDCC § 53‑06.1‑03(1)(a):

Primary prize cap increased from $8,000 to $15,000.
Total annual prizes for all games by the organization (or closely related organizations as a whole) increased from $40,000 to $50,000 per year.

Existing structure retained:

Local permits: governing bodies may recognize organizations as "public‑spirited" and issue permits.
Types of permits: local (raffles, bingo, sports pools) and restricted event (adds paddlewheels, twenty‑one, poker).
Organizations must disclose on permit applications the intended use of net income from gaming.
Local governing body retains sole discretion to determine what constitutes a "public‑spirited organization" and may designate times/places for permitted games.

Explicit exception: the new maximum prize amounts do not apply to raffles conducted under NDCC chapter 20.1‑08.

Who is affected

Permitted "public‑spirited" organizations (local nonprofits, civic groups, etc.) that conduct gaming — they can now offer larger single prizes and slightly higher aggregate annual prizes, potentially increasing fundraising appeal.

Local governing bodies — continue to authorize permits and determine eligibility; may see changes in permit demand or local oversight needs.

Players/public — may see larger prizes available in local charitable gaming events.

Regulators/enforcement — minor administrative implications to monitor compliance with the new limits; no substantive change to types of games allowed.

Procedural / timeline notes

Bill text amends and reenacts the cited subsection of the North Dakota Century Code.

Sponsors (as enrolled): Representatives Frelich, Bahl, Grueneich, J. Johnson, Wagner; Senators Burckhard, Klein, Meyer.

Chamber votes recorded in the enrollment: House — Yeas 88, Nays 3; Senate — Yeas 38, Nays 7.

Status information provided: introduced (filed) November 12, 2024; filed with the Secretary of State March 18, 2025 (per materials supplied). Final gubernatorial signature/date fields in the enrollment text are blank in the provided document.

Potential impacts / considerations

Fundraising: higher prize limits may enhance the attractiveness of organized games and increase fundraising revenue for qualifying organizations.

Oversight: modest potential for increased administrative oversight by local authorities to ensure organizations remain within the higher caps and continue to use net proceeds in accordance with permit disclosures.

No change to game types, permit structure, or local control beyond the revised dollar limits.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory line as amended for insertion into local guidance, or
- Draft a short bulletin for permitted organizations explaining compliance steps under the new limits.

Bill