Sports Betting Rules Approved By South Dakota Commission On Gaming

• South Dakota now has a set of rules and regulations for the sports betting industry in the state.
• These rules need one more approval before becoming permanent on July 1.
• Ten sportsbooks in the town of Deadwood are expected to launch on September 1.

DEADWOOD, S.D. – On Tuesday, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming (SDCG) approved the rules and regulations for sports betting in the state’s town of Deadwood. They will now move to the Legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee in June. After the committee’s approval, these will become the official rules and regulations of the sports wagering market in South Dakota beginning July 1, when the law is enacted.

The plan was to have the industry launch by the Fall for all of the NFL sports betting action that will take place. This can now become a reality because of the progress that’s been made by the SDCG.

What Happens Next?

South Dakota sports betting was voted into regulation in November 2020 by the state. However, it is restricted to the city of Deadwood. All casinos within the city are eligible to expand into sportsbooks.

“For those organizations that are interested in applying for a sports wagering services application, it will be available on our website on May 20,” said Craig Sparrow, SDCG Executive Secretary. “And we’ll start accepting those applications on July 1, when the law takes effect.”

All of this was made possible through the passage of Senate Bill 44, which laid out the foundation for the industry. No mobile sports betting will be open for residents.

Some of the rules include a $5,000 application fee for every facility that wants to have a regulated sports betting operation. Any person affiliated with the venue cannot participate in sports betting as is stipulated within the regulations. There will likely be ten sportsbooks opening by the start of the NFL season. Extra surveillance will be required at these establishments per the new rules.

“What we’re seeing here in Deadwood is the operators are starting their design and actually some of their remodeling plans to create their sports wagering lounges, so some of that’s already going on to get ready for this fall,” said Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association (DGA).

The launch of Deadwood sportsbooks is slated for September 1.

News tags: Craig Sparrow | Deadwood | Interim Rules Review Committee | Mike Rodman | NFL | Senate Bill 44 | South Dakota | South Dakota Commission on Gaming