Last November, South Dakota voters legalized sports betting, and now Governor Kristi Noem has signed SB 44, outlining the framework for it. As a result, South Dakota has become the first state in 2021 to complete the legislative process. The South Dakota Commission on Gambling will regulate sports wagering, which will be allowed only in Deadwood. The commission is expected to present proposed rules at its June 16 meeting. Deadwood Gaming Association Director Mike Rodman said, “It’s a big day for Deadwood and our next step now is to work with the South Dakota Commission on Gaming to promulgate the rules. We’ll be working through the process with the hope that we will be able to offer sports wagering by September 1.”
The new law allows retail sports betting exclusively in Deadwood, via teller windows, kiosks or on-site mobile applications. The Deadwood Gaming Association estimates the state will reap about $2.2 million in tax revenue from sports betting, which will create 150 new jobs. The new law also bans betting on South Dakota college teams and taxes gross revenue at 9 percent.
SB 44 is the only legislation to survive out of four sports betting bills introduced after the referendum vote. Two of the other bills would have allowed statewide mobile wagering, but lawmakers agreed that didn’t square with the intent of the ballot initiative.
The state’s nine tribal casinos also will be able to offer in-person sports betting.
