Bismarck, N.D. – For the first time in state history, charitable organizations, gaming vendors and regulators met under one roof to discuss the growing world of charitable gaming. The two‑day Charitable Gaming Conference and Tradeshow wrapped up Wednesday at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center, offering a local platform for nonprofits to learn from one another.
Learning from peers
Jeff Gould, president of the Fargo Metro Baseball Association, attended the event to see how other groups are handling gaming operations. “We’re new to it and we’re trying to learn, you know, maybe we’re not doing something correctly that we could do better. So it’s been great to collaborate with the other charities and learn how they do things,” Gould said.
Gould added that the conference helped him find common ground with other organizations. “The biggest takeaway for myself right now is just, not one thing fits all, right? Every charity is a little bit different, but what I’ve been impressed with is, we have a lot more in common than I thought before,” he explained.
Sessions covered licensing, audits and technology
Panels addressed practical topics such as licensing requirements, audit procedures and the use of electronic pull‑tabs – a popular form of charitable gaming that allows quick, low‑cost draws. State regulators were on hand to answer questions about compliance and to clarify recent updates to gaming statutes.
The North Dakota Gaming Alliance and the Charitable Gaming Association of North Dakota co‑organized the conference, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Their joint effort reflects a broader trend: charitable gaming proceeds in the state reached nearly $2.5 billion in 2025, providing vital funding for community programs, scholarships and youth sports.
Why charitable gaming matters to North Dakota families
Charitable gaming has become a reliable revenue source for many local nonprofits, supporting everything from after‑school activities to senior services. By sharing best practices, the conference aims to ensure that charities can operate responsibly while maximizing the benefits to the families they serve.
Attendees left the event with new contacts, updated compliance checklists and a clearer sense of how to navigate the evolving gaming landscape. As Gould put it, “We’re leaving with tools that will help us serve our community better and responsibly grow our gaming program.”
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the conference will become an annual fixture, providing a consistent forum for education, networking and policy discussion. With charitable gaming continuing to generate significant funds for community initiatives, the collaborative spirit demonstrated in Bismarck signals a promising future for North Dakota’s nonprofit sector.
Original reporting: KFYR-TV Bismarck (news) — read the source article.
