Last week, reported on the legislative moves in North Dakota to recognise Internet poker as a skills game offering wide tax potential for a regulating State. After glowing speeches about its potential for economic development, jobs and unique opportunities this week, the House voted Wednesday for companies that host worldwide live Internet poker.
Rep. Bill Kretschmar, R-Venturia, said North Dakota would offer to regulate the industry here, collecting taxes and fees for its general fund in the process.
Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1509 and said the state could enjoy tremendous revenue from licensing and regulating the industry.
He said if the state licenses 200 poker sites, it could take in $40 million. There are 50 million Internet poker players in the USA alone now and 300 million worldwide. If the state licensed 50 million players, “That’s 500 million dollars per year new revenue to North Dakota.”