Gambling In South Dakota
Betting in South Dakota is currently a low-profile activity, but as legislation passes, it may increase. Furthermore, South Dakota sportsbooks will dominate the gambling scene after Amendment B. Gambling in South Dakota has a long history. You can see some of the most important dates in South Dakota gambling history when you read below The first casinos in Deadwood opened in 1991. 1933 Pari-mutuel wagers are legalized in South Dakota – the first legal form of gambling seen in the state.
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South Dakota is a state known for its beautiful Black Hills region, stunning prairies of the Badlands National Park, and historic Gold Rush towns. The state’s development has been influenced by its rich Native American and mining histories. Both of these histories share a close connection to gambling and it is no wonder that the state’s legal gambling sites are located either in historic mining towns or on Indian reservations.
This website breaks down all forms of gambling in South Dakota. This page will discuss the state’s gaming laws so that you know exactly what activities are legal in the state. South Dakota was the third state to formalize legal casino gambling. Topics on this page include land-based casinos as well as online gambling, sports betting and more. For a complete overview, you can read the entire page. If you are looking for specific info, I recommend that you use the ‘contents’ menu below to jump straight to the topic you would like to know more about.
South Dakota Gambling: What is Legal in the State
Contents
- South Dakota Gambling: What is Legal in the State
- Online Sports Gambling in SD
- Gambling in South Dakota: An Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
The ‘word gambling’ can describe a wide variety of activities. Wagers can be made on anything, such as charitable events or bets between friends. This page, however, will zero in on commercial and large-scale gaming activities including casinos, sports betting, poker, and more. Below we will discuss the legality of each popular South Dakota gambling activity so that you don’t accidentally find yourself playing an illegal game.
Land-based Casinos in South Dakota
South Dakota has a lot to offer its visitors and residents in terms of casino gaming. There are two types of casinos in SD: Commercial and Indian. In total, there are over 35 land-based casinos in South Dakota. Every single commercial gaming location is in the historic mining town of Deadwood. SD is one of the few places in the US that limits its commercial gaming by location, games and prize amounts. To learn more about land-based gaming in South Dakota visit our page dedicated to casinos in South Dakota.
In addition to the state’s 25 commercial gambling halls, players can also visit one of the 12 tribal casinos found on Native American territory in South Dakota. In-terms of the games permitted at South Dakota gambling properties, visitors can expect to find numerous gambling machines (slots) and table games, such as blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette. Indian casinos can offer the same games as the commercial gaming locations in Deadwood.
Online Casino Gambling in South Dakota
Online casino gambling is an extremely popular activity around the world, but there has been a lot of confusion with regards to the legality of online gaming in the United States. The confusion stems from the fact that each state has its own gaming laws, so what may be legal in one place, could be forbidden in another. Online gambling is often in some sort of grey area, not legal, but not expressly forbidden. This isn’t the case in SD. The South Dakota gambling laws state clearly that online gambling in South Dakota is illegal. For this reason, we do not recommend that you trust any websites that claim to accept South Dakotans.
- Slots
- Jackpot Games
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Sic Bo
- Baccarat
- Poker
- Video Poker
- Scratch Cards
- Bingo
Above is a list of online games that are usually found in legalised markets. As you can see, online casinos offer the exact same games as the ones found in the world’s most prestigious gambling properties. If you look at worldwide trends, it isn’t unreasonable to predict that online casinos will soon overtake their land-based counterparts in the near future as the preferred gaming method. In many markets, it has already surpassed traditional betting. This, however, won’t be happening in SD anytime soon. The laws regulating gambling in South Dakota are clear on the matter for the time being. Online gambling is illegal.
Sports Betting Options in the State
Sports betting in South Dakota doesn’t face the same uphill regulatory battle as online gambling. The Supreme Court’s monumental decision to legalize sports betting has left I up to states to decide whether or not to permit the activity. Currently, wagering on sporting events is illegal, but this may not always be the case.
In 2018, Deadwood casinos began laying the foundation for sports betting by filing a proposed amendment to the state constitution. The amendment proposes the legalization of wagering on sports at land-based commercial and tribal casinos. If the amendment passes the SD Legislature would be required to create a regulatory framework for the activity as well as a tax structure.
Online Sports Gambling in SD
Sports betting qualifies as a form of gaming, and thus is regulated by the South Dakota gambling laws. As a result, online sports betting is illegal in the Mount Rushmore State. The law Section 22-25A-1 claims that gambling is “to directly or indirectly take…money or any valuable thing with the understanding that…the money or valuable thing will be paid or delivered to a person if the payment…is contingent upon the result of a race, contest, or game or upon the happening of an event not known to be certain.” Because, this definition describes wagering on sports, and since online gambling is illegal in South Dakota, there is no legal way to wager on a sporting event in SD.
Daily Fantasy Sports Contests
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests are extremely popular in the U.S. but there is a lot of confusion out there about whether or not it should be classified as a form of gambling. According to a press release by the SD Attorney General, the jury is out on whether or not DFS contests are gaming. Nevertheless, he stated that “it will not be my intent to seek felony indictments here in South Dakota absent a clearer directive from our state legislature.” In short, Daily Fantasy Sports are not technically legal, but aren’t illegal. Until a clearer ruling has been made, South Dakotans can play DFS contests at popular sites such as FanDuel and Draft Kings.
SD has signed gaming compacts with a few Native American nations. Originally the tribes were allowed to open Class II casinos, but since 2015, South Dakota tribal casinos have been permitted to carry Class III games like keno, craps, roulette, slot machines, blackjack and poker. Indian casinos are legally permitted to offer the same casino games as commercial properties in the Deadwood.
Responsible Gambling in South Dakota
In 2006, state legislators created a designated fund to be used to combat problem gambling behavior in the state. A fund of up to $30,000 was to be spend on addiction treatment and counseling within the South Dakota. Money from the SD Lottery is also allocated for these purposes. The state does not have its own state-specific affiliate for the National Council on Problem Gambling. Nevertheless, there is still a South Dakota Council on Responsible Gaming. The council is underfunded, however, and doesn’t really have a location. This body oversees the gambling helpline in the state (1-888-781-HELP). This number can be found on all Lotto tickets and VLT machines.
A survey conducted of Problem Gambling Services in the United States, estimates that a total of 1.4% of South Dakotan adults exhibit some form of problem gambling behavior. If you are a someone you know thinks they may have a gambling problem, then it is best to reach out to the proper help channels. You can refer hotline above, or contact one of America’s national problem gabling services, such as the National Council on Problem Gambling, Gam-Anon, or Gambler’s Anonymous.
History of Gambling in South Dakota
South Dakota’s history of gambling is a tiny bit more exciting than that of other states in the US and it is intimately tied to the famous town of Deadwood. Deadwood was officially founded in 1876 by ‘squatters’ who had been living in the Lakota territory for some time. General Custer (The same known for Custer’s last stand) found gold in the black hills in 1874. The discovery of gold spurred more Americans to settle in the region. However, the town remained an illegal settlement until 1889 (when the state was formally admitted to the Union).
During this illegal period, the town was flooded with miners, cowboys and gamblers, the most famous of which was ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok. While in Deadwood, South Dakota, Hickok would be killed by a gunshot wound to the back of the head while playing a game of poker. Legends say that Wild Bill was holding two pairs at his time of death: black aces and eights. To this day, that specific hand is known as the dead man’s hand.
Once the South Dakota territory officially became a state, legislatures didn’t wait long to ban gambling. The activity was officially outlawed in 1905 and would remain as such until 1989 when the state legalized gambling in Deadwood only. This was done in an effort to diversify the town’s economy, which up until that point, had relied heavily on the nearby Homestake Gold Mine. Tourists have historically been attracted to the mine, but even more come to Deadwood, SD to experience the city’s gambling atmosphere that is comprised of Vegas-style games, daily re-enactments, sawdust-covered floors and more. The experience when gambling in South Dakota is extremely unique when compared to other gaming locations.
Famous Gamblers from South Dakota
Although players can play live poker games and tournaments at both tribal and Deadwood commercial casinos, there aren’t really any major famous gamblers from SD. When one thinks of notable gamers, poker players are what generally come to mind. This is because the game’s head-to-head format makes for fun entertainment that comes complete with drama, intrigue, and unique player personas. At this time, there are no famous gamblers from the state. In fact, no South Dakotans have eclipsed the $1 million mark for career earnings.
Interesting South Dakota Gaming Facts
South Dakota has a rich and exciting history. The state emerged when America was at a crossroads. The country was expanding west with almost no oversight from the government. This led to a sort of lawlessness in the territory. The interests of American squatters and settlers overruled the treaties and agreements that indigenous people had made with the U.S government. Once the dust from these conflicts settled, South Dakota found itself in the state it is in today. Below are some of the key facts regarding South Dakota gambling.
| Population | 888,500 |
|---|---|
| Median Income | $56,521 |
| Largest Land-based Casino | Fort Randall Casino & Hotel |
| Gambling Commissioner | South Dakota Commission on Gaming |
| Spoken Languages | English, Sioux |
| Number of Indian Casinos: | 12 |
| South Dakota Tax Authority | South Dakota Department of Revenue |
| Link to the State Law | http://sdlegislature.gov |
| Gambling Tax | 9% on businesses |
| State Website Link | http://sd.gov/ |
| South Dakota Gamblers | ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok |
As you can see above, the state doesn’t have that many residents. In addition, casinos are limited to Deadwood and Tribal locations. This suggests that that biggest driver of the industry is tourist dollars. Visitors flock to Deadwood just like many Americans also travel to Vegas.
Conclusion: Haven for Land-Based Gaming
It is evident when reading the article above, that South Dakota is a decent state when it comes to land-based casino options. Residents and visitors can visit one of many Deadwood gambling options as well as SD Indian Casinos. The only requirement is that a person meets the minimum gambling age requirement in South Dakota which is twenty-one years of age. Currently, reservations and Deadwood are the only legal SD gambling location. Should the state’s gambling laws change, we will update this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you can find all of the relevant info a player needs to know with regards to the legality of gaming in the state of South Dakota. Below you can find a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive from South Dakota gamblers. If you’d like to find a quick answer are helpful info, check out some of the questions below.
Is gambling legal in South Dakota?
Yes, gambling is legal in South Dakota. That being said, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, online gambling remains illegal in the state. Second, although gambling has been legalized, only small stakes games are permitted. This means the largest wager a player can make on a single game is $1,000.
Where can you gamble in South Dakota?
There are too many places to count that offer legalized gaming in South Dakota. This is because SD is one of a handful of states that allow non-casino locations to carry electronic gaming terminals. When talking about traditional casino locations, SD offers a total of 37.
What is the gambling age in South Dakota?
The legal gambling age in South Dakota varies based on the activity, in which a gamer wishes to engage. All casinos, whether they be commercial or Native American require that players must be 21 years of age or older to play casino games. For pari-mutuel betting as well as the lottery, players must be 18 years old or more.
How many casinos are in Deadwood?
There is actually no limit to how many casinos can be in Deadwood at one time. The only rule is that each casino must hold a valid gaming license from the state’s gambling commission. Currently there are over two dozen commercial casinos in the town of Deadwood. Each property carries different games, so I recommend visiting multiple for a well-rounded experience.
What is the Dead Man’s Hand in Poker?
There is much debate surrounding the actual cards in the dead man’s hand. Legend suggests that the term developed after the murder of notorious outlaw Wild Bill Hickok, while he was playing a game of five-card stud poker. It is rumored that Hickok has a hand of two black aces and two black eights while he was shot. The hole-card remains unknown.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help and treatment are available.
Call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-781-HELP.
Your call is always confidential.
South Dakota Department of Social Services
South Dakota Department of Social services strengthens and supports individuals with behavioral health needs through prevention services, community-based outpatient services, and more.
Gamblers Anonyous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share thier experience, strength and hope with each other they they may solve thier common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
National Councel on Problem Gambling
NCPG is a single access point for those seeking help for a gambling problem. Always confidential.
Call or text 1-800-522-4700
Chat available on the website
Gam-Anon®
South Dakota Gambling Towns
Gam-Anon® International Service Office, Inc. provides information for the general public and professional community about problem gambling and its effects on the gamblers' loved ones.
The Lottery provides up to $214,000 annually to the S.D. Department of Social Services (the program was formerly housed under the Department of Human Services) to pay for problem gambling treatment services. Through the end of FY15, the Lottery has provided nearly $3.46 million to payfor problem gambling treatment services. Treatment is confidential.
The toll-free problem gambling HELPline phone number is also included on all scratch and lotto tickets, video lottery machines, video lottery establishment posters, brochures, lotto game play slips, and this website.
The Lottery also participates annually in activities organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling including 'March Problem Gambling Awareness Month' and their holiday campaign against purchasing lottery tickets as holiday gifts for minors. Our agency is also a member of the South Dakota Council for Responsible Gaming.
Gambling Age In South Dakota
- Preoccupied with gambling and unable to stop.
- Bragging about gambling, exaggerating wins and minimizing losses.
- Restless and irritable when not gambling.
- Gambling to win back what you've lost.
- Borrowing money for gambling.
- Lying to hide time spent gambling or unpaid debts.
- Frequent unexplained absences.
- Losing work time because of gambling.
- Jeopardizing a significant relationship or job by gambling.
A problem gambler doesn't necessarily need to 'hit bottom' to decide to get help. If someone you know is gambling for more than fun, they may have a problem. Talking to them can seem scary, but they need you to have courage.
Old Gambling Towns In South Dakota
If you're the spouse or family member of a problem gambler, it's important for you to take care of yourself and realize that you're not responsible for the gambler's behavior. Even if your loved one isn't ready or willing to get help, you may want to call a problem gambling helpline.
Problem gambling is not a bad habit or a moral weakness. It's a serious condition, but with treatment, problem gamblers can put the game in perspective and make decisions to improve their lives and yours.
*Adapted from materials provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
- Find a comfortable place to talk where you won't be disturbed.
- Keep it simple and straightforward.
- Tell the person you care about them and you're concerned about how they are acting.
- Tell the person exactly what they've done that concerns you.
- Tell the person how their behavior is affecting other people and be specific.
- Be clear about what you expect ('I want you to talk to someone about your gambling.') and what they can expect from you ('I won't cover for you anymore.').
- After you've told the person what you've seen and how you feel, allow them to respond. Listen with a nonjudgmental attitude.
- Let the person know you're willing to help, but don't try to counsel them yourself.
- Give the person information, not advice. Encourage them to call a problem gambling helpline.
- A large number of young people report their first gambling experience occurs around 9 to 11 years of age.
- Lottery scratch tickets have been shown to present a possible gateway to other gambling activities.
- Approximately 80 percent of high-school aged adolescents report having gambled for money during the past year.
- Two to four percent of adolescents presently have a problem with gambling. To put it into perspective, adults gambling disorder prevalence rates are about one to two percent of the population.
Some adults report giving lottery tickets to children as gifts during the holiday season. If we can raise awareness and education on the risks of giving lottery products to children, we can do our part in minimizing potential harm.