South Dakota’s links to gambling stretch back to the days of cowboys and card games. However, since the frontier ended, the state has reined things in somewhat. At present, sports betting isn’t legal. What’s more, only certain types of casino game are permitted. For example, although slots, blackjack and live poker are available, bingo, video poker, craps, keno and roulette aren’t.
SJR 2 is pushing to change this but the current dynamics are a result of two major events in the 1980s. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed Native American tribes to run casinos on tribal land. South Dakota joined this movement and, today, the state has nine tribal casinos, including Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel.
A year after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Deadwood was given the right to host commercial casinos. The law was designed to generate more income and revitalize the area. Today, more than 30 casinos are located in Deadwood, including Buffalo Bodega Gaming Complex. With two major gaming hubs, South Dakota is well-placed to offer legal sports betting. Indeed, it’s the efforts of the Deadwood Gaming Association that could eventually bring legalized sportsbooks to the state’s commercial and tribal casinos.
The simple answer is no. At this stage, there is a chance laws may pass in 2020.
Sports betting is not currently legal in South Dakota.
The likely age for sports betting in South Dakota will be 21 or older.
At present, you can’t legally bet on sports in South Dakota.
As of Q3 2020, there were no places to legally bet on sports in South Dakota.
As noted, there were no legal sportsbooks in South Dakota as of Q3 2020.
South Dakota’s sports betting bill doesn’t contain any provisions for online or mobile sports betting. However, if the bill is passed, amendments are possible which could make online betting a reality.
Pre-filing estimates suggest that Deadwood sportsbooks could generate around $2 million in annual revenue.
Gaming tax in South Dakota is 9%, which is likely to be the rate for regulated sportsbooks. However, this is subject to debate among House and Senate representatives.