The North Dakota House has approved a tax reduction for bingo halls, in an attempt to repair some of the damage caused by the smoking ban that came into force two years ago. The prohibition forced several bingo parlors to close and players escaped to Minnesota, where smoking in public places is allowed.

The new legislation, which is expected to save bingo establishments $2.1 million in two years, was endorsed by the Senate and moved to Governor John Hoeven’s office. Currently, bingo games are subject to the State’s 5 percent sales tax but the provisions approved this week changes the tax for an exercise tax of 3 percent.

During the three-month period that ended last September, bingo players in North Dakota spent almost $8.6 million on bingo cards and more than $6.7 million were paid in prizes. From the $1.9 million in revenues, bingo operators paid $485,407 in sales taxes on bingo cards.

Compared to the same three-month period one year ago, September quarter’s bingo-card betting fell by $892,100 or 9.4 percent.