South Dakota Gambling Laws – Legal Overview

In recent years, South Dakota has been one of the many US states welcoming changes to the casino industry. The local government has been working on legalizing new forms of gambling, something that the residents are looking forward to. If you are curious about the South Dakota gambling laws, you are at the right place. Scroll down to the paragraphs and learn everything regarding the legal games, local authority, gambling age, and much more!

Gambling Laws in South Dakota – What is Legal?

On the territory of the state, there are many possibilities for those of you who have a passion for gambling games. The South Dakota gambling laws authorize many forms of betting – you have a chance to enter a real casino or enjoy some of the benefits of online gambling. While there are some restrictions, the most popular casino games are allowed – poker, blackjack, roulette, and much more. Here is the complete list of legal games in the state of South Dakota:

Given that the Mount Rushmore State was the third to legalize casinos after Nevada and New Jersey, it’s no surprise there is such diversity in the gambling industry. From table games to lottery and horse racing, you will have many opportunities to place a bet here. Legally speaking, as long as you participate in regulated wagering, you will be safe from trouble.

Naturally, residents who don’t respect the gambling laws in South Dakota risk being punished. The penalty for placing an illegal bet might be much milder than the one for hosting a gambling event. Nevertheless, the two fall into the same crime category – Class 2 misdemeanor, according to chapter 22-25-1 of South Dakota law. In rare cases, the fee can go up to $500 or 30 days in jail.

Poker in South Dakota

If you are a fan of poker, we have good news! There are two possibilities to join a table and show your skills – in a traditional casino or a tribal casino. In any case, online poker is not an option. With that in mind, remember that even offshore websites are forbidden. The gambling laws in South Dakota allow 16 variants of poker, the most preferred by the residents being Texas Hold’em, followed by Omaha and Seven Stud Poker.

Another thing to remember – home poker games are illegal as well. To join a poker table, you can choose from 10 locations. There are four poker rooms in land-based casinos in Deadwood, while the rest are in Native American casinos. Expert players have the chance to join South Dakota State Poker Championship, where the prize pool goes up to $100,000.

We can’t miss one of the most iconic moments in poker history. You may have heard of “Wild Bill” Hickock, but did you know that it was in Deadwood where he was shot and killed at a poker table? Wild Bill was holding what we now know as the “Dead Man’s Hand” (two black aces, two black eights, and a variable card). The place of the crime was the Old Style Saloon No. 10, now situated on Main Street. Today, in the Saloon, you can see the chair on which Wild Bill was sitting in the fatal night.

Sports Betting in South Dakota

After South Dakota voters approved sports betting in November 2020, the state continues to work on the execution of the law. We know for a fact that mobile sports wagering won’t be available, but in Deadwood, there will be enough retailers that will accept bets on various sports events. Rumors say that the most reputable sportsbook brands will enter South Dakota’s market. Legal sports betting will come true at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022.

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming is responsible for regulating limited wagering in the City of Deadwood, live horse and simulcast racing in South Dakota. Five members are selected by the Governor, then confirmed by the State Senate. The SD Commission on Gaming is divided into two divisions – Enforcement and Operations.

The Enforcement Division is the one conducting background and criminal checks related to limited gaming. It also monitors all casino-linked activities. The Operations Division watches compliance and revenue but also conducts audits in the Deadwood casinos. It inspects slot machines through the state and takes care of statistics of gaming and racing activities.

Online Gambling Laws South Dakota

No matter how much they gain in popularity, the online gambling laws South Dakota are leaving the door closed for casino websites. Only online betting on horse races is legal in the Mount Rushmore State. Another curious fact is that daily fantasy sports are not mentioned in the law. This, however, doesn’t make them legal – it’s more appropriate if we state that fantasy sports are “tolerated” within the state.

Playing at US online casinos is strictly off-limits. Unlike traditional gambling, if you break the law and play at an online casino, you will be prosecuted for a Class 6 felony. In this case, the penalty goes much higher than a few hundred dollars. We strongly advise you to respect the online gambling laws in South Dakota. Otherwise, you risk getting yourself a fine of up to $10,000.

Land-Based and Tribal Casinos in the City of Deadwood

The City of Deadwood is a popular destination among South Dakota’s residents and not only. Thanks to its 20 brick-and-mortar casino venues, the city doesn’t miss the spirit of entertainment and excitement. When the casino business started operating, the maximum bet in South Dakota was only $5. Later, in 2000, the voters decided that they wanted to raise the stakes to $100. Today, thanks to the reform of 2012, the maximum bet allowed is $1000.

In the Mount Rushmore State, you can also find hundreds of taverns and gas stations that sell lottery tickets and offer video lottery machines as well. For those of you unfamiliar with it, video lottery is very similar to slot machines. Another alternative that gambling laws in South Dakota authorize is Native American casinos, also known as tribal casinos – there are 12 of them in South Dakota.

Legal Gambling Age in South Dakota

As in most other states, the legal gambling age in South Dakota is 21 years. That includes entering traditional or Native American casinos and purchasing lottery tickets. Later, sports betting will probably be added to this list. The only exception to the rule is the horse races and the simulcast locations. For the last two, the US legal gambling age is 18 years old.

South Dakota Gambling Laws: FAQ

We can say that South Dakota gambling laws are pretty simple and straightforward – most types of gambling, except placing bets online, are allowed. Despite this, in case something isn’t clear for you, we will try to cover the topic in the most frequently asked questions. Stay with us and scroll down to find the answers!

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