North Dakota Charitable Gambling Down Again In 2009

The North Dakota gambling industry may just be a product of the economy over the past several years. Revenue from the nonprofit gambling operations in the state were down once again in 2009, following a trend of the past several years.

In 2009, $250.8 million was spent on gambling of such games as blackjack, pull tabs, and bingo. That figure is down from the $265.7 million charity operations took in back in 2008. Going all the way back to 1999, revenue from the gambling was $255.1 million.

Other factors that may have caused a drop in 2009 is a new smoking ban that prevents smoking indoors. The ban is said to have been the cause of drop-offs in several different hospitality industries. Bars and taverns have been hit hard by the ban, causing the drop in gambling.

"The economy has something to do with it for sure," said Keith Lauer, Director of the North Dakota Gaming Division. Lauer went on to say that smokers have stayed out of the bars that offer the gambling options.

Another major factor in the gambling revenue decline is the weather. North Dakota is known for their long winters, and residents tend to stay indoors during the winter months. That causes a sharp drop-off in the gambling figures from the summer months.

With competition growing around the country, individual states have been monitoring closely their gambling industries. The casino industry has been growing with lawmakers looking for ways to combat their economic hardships. Thousands of jobs have been created throughout the US from the expansion of casino gambling.

April 7, 2010
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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