In a recent special teleconference meeting lasting less than 10 minutes, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming approved operator and retail licenses for SGMSD LLC and approved John Grant Lincoln as the primary licensee.
Lincoln is chief executive officer for Missoula, Montana-based Strategic Gaming Management and is a consultant for the West Hollywood, California-based phone-betting app ZenSports. With the South Dakota licenses, SGMSD can proceed with its purchase of the historic Franklin Hotel and Silverado casino in Deadwood from Super G Investments.
In 2021, ZenSports used its Nevada gaming licenses to operate the Big Wheel Casino in Lovelock and the Book at Baldini’s in Reno. Strategic Gaming Management acted as the slot route operator and received a portion of the slots revenue. SGM was formed in 2009 to purchase Baldini’s Casino.
Lincoln received approval from the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office on January 4, 2023. According to South Dakota Commission on Gaming documents, Lincoln owns 99 percent of SGMSD; the other 1 percent is owned by Charlie Skinner, a Las Vegas partner in Strategic Gaming Management and president of Marker Trax, which specializes in managing and issuing cashless funds for casino players.
Under state law, SGMSD is now required to submit copies of all proposed gaming contracts to the executive secretary of the 4-member gaming commission.
Regarding the licensing meeting, Lincoln said, “Everything was first class, professional. I really enjoyed the process.”
