The two Dakota states are taking different tracks toward the legalization of sports betting.
A fiscal analysis has been released for how much tax revenue would result if sports betting is allowed in South Dakota’s casino town of Deadwood. The amount is modest, but supporters of a 2020 ballot measure to legalize sports book say it would help keep their casinos competitive.
The analysis was done by the Legislative Research Council. It looked at what would result if a constitutional amendment is passed in South Dakota. It computes that the town’s casinos would bring in an additional $2 million annually, which would translate into about $185,000 in more tax revenue for the state. That would be a 2 percent increase for the town, whose gaming revenues in 2017 were about $100 million.
The Deadwood Gaming Association’s Executive Director Mike Rodman says his group has never figured on large revenue boosts but rather that it would give the city’s casinos another amenity to lure players from out of state to stay, play and dine at the town’s hotels and eateries.
His group is urging state lawmakers to move to put the amendment on the ballot in 2020. Senator Bob Ewing, who represents Deadwood, says he will offer a bill this year.
House Majority Leader Lee Qualm is not a supporter. He promises “a very heated discussion.”
The association supports a measure that would require players to physically be in the casino to make a bet.
In North Dakota, meanwhile, Governor Doug Burgum said last week that he won’t oppose or assist any effort to bring sports betting to his state. A spokesman added that Burgum “is open to looking at ways to potentially capitalize on the national change.”
The state is one of many where there are efforts to legalize sports betting in the wake of the Supreme Court decision lifting the federal ban last May.
Two representatives are writing independent bills that would authorize sports betting with the goal of generating revenue for both the state and charities. One bill would allow betting on both pro and college sports. The other would only allow wagers on professional sports.
The legislature convened January 3. If it takes up the bills lawmakers would fill in such details as much to tax sports book and how else to regulate it.
