House Judiciary committee hears public testimony for and against putting sports betting on the 2026 ballot

The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 3002 on whether to place a constitutional amendment authorizing sports betting on the November 2026 ballot.

Representative Scott Louser, R‑Minot, who introduced the resolution, told the committee the amendment would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports only and said revenue generated would be dedicated to K–12 education. "This is one of those rare occasions where the legislature would consider putting something on the ballot," Louser said, adding the proposal would not include high school sports.

Louser framed the measure as giving voters the choice. "This is a matter of allowing the voters of North Dakota to decide if they want to," he said, arguing the state currently sends wagering revenue to other states and citing national growth in legalized sports betting.