4 Bears Casino and Lodge decreases gambling age limit
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NEW TOWN, N.D. (KMOT) – The state of North Dakota signed an agreement in late 2022 that lowered the gambling age at tribal-owned casinos from 21 to 19 years old, and now, it’s in effect.
A security guard is checking IDs and banding those under 21, including 20-year-old Jordan Lebeau. It’s one of the protocols for customers under 21 since the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge started allowing 19 and 20-year-olds to play on slot machines and table games.
“I came on Monday, right away when they opened. I was pretty eager,” said Lebeau.
Lebeau said he’s played before in Minnesota where the age limit is 18.
At the other end of the age spectrum, it’s Senior Day.
New Town resident Connie Sveen said she’s not too excited about the gambling age limit decreasing.
“The gambling part’s okay but keep up the drinking part. I’d like to wait for them to be 21,” said Sveen.
Patrick Packineau, general manager of the casino, said the alcohol drinking age at the casino remains 21 and over and they’ll need to have a valid state ID.
“Surveillance is also key to what’s going on,” said Packineau.
Canadian resident Jane Moser said she has concerns about how much the younger generation can afford to lose.
“I’m thinking they’re just in school or they’re trying to make their way maybe in university, and they don’t have a lot of disposable income,” said Moser.
Lebeau said he is also into sports betting. He said he has a full-time job and tries to gamble responsibly.
“I think it’s fun, for the most part. I’m young now. Maybe it won’t be fun when I’m older,” said Lebeau.
Apart from trying their luck, Packineau said this age group can now work on the gaming floor.
“With the labor issues that we have throughout the United States, it opens up another pool of employees for us,” said Packineau.
He said the betting limits remain the same across the board.
When we called Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, they said they also now have a 19 and over age requirement.
