Lottery ads allowed in North Dakota

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Monday, Dec. 3, 2001 | 9:50 a.m.

FARGO, N.D. -- Radio and television stations in North Dakota will be allowed to air lottery advertisements, after reaching a settlement with the Federal Communications Commission.

Several broadcast stations in Fargo had challenged a federal law that bans them from advertising lotteries. Jack McDonald, an attorney representing the stations, said the FCC has agreed to issue a letter stating it will not enforce penalties against North Dakota broadcasters.

North Dakota is surrounded by states and a Canadian province that have lotteries. Stations in North Dakota had been barred from running lottery advertisements because lotteries are illegal in the state.

In October 2000, several television and radio stations filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Fargo, alleging their right to free speech was being violated.

McDonald said the lawsuit will now be dropped.