Sports Betting in South Dakota Legalized as Governor Signs Bill into Law

South Dakota Governor, Kristi Noem, has signed the sports betting bill that makes this form of online gambling legal in this US state.

Sports betting will be legal in the city of Deadwood as Senate Bill 44, that amends existing laws, allows players in the city to place legal sports bets. This city will be the only area of the state where sports betting will be allowed.

From the Premises

The rules state that those who wish to bet must first in-person at a licensed casino in the city…

…and then they will be able to bet via mobile phone from the casino’s premises exclusively.

Provider licenses for sports betting will cost $2,000, while the annual renewal fee of $2,000 will also have to be paid by the operator.

The bill did not explicitly state hoe much tax will the operators have to pay, or how many licenses will be awarded. The South Dakota Commission on Gaming will be in charge of sports betting market regulation.

Exceptions

Bettors will be able to place wagers on all sports except high school competition, minor league sports and state-located colleges.

In November last year, citizens of South Dakota have voted 58.5% against 41.5% in favor of legalizing sports betting.

Amendment B expanded the range of legal gambling products in South Dakota to add wagering to blackjack, craps, poker, roulette, and slot machines, all of which are also only available in Deadwood.

Senate Bill cleared the South Dakota Senate by a vote of 32-2 in February, as well as the state’s House of Representatives earlier this month 58-8.

For quite a while, the fate of sports betting in North Dakota lied in balance and even was seriously threatened at one point.

Prior to these negative reports, in February 2019, South Dakota Senate has approved sports betting amendment and proceeded to launch the sports betting in this state down a very long and tedious path that took more than two years to complete.

Source:

“South Dakota Governor signs sports betting bill into law”, igamingbusiness.com, March 22, 2021.