South Dakota Senate Approves Sports Betting Amendment

The state senate of South Dakota has officially approved the sports betting amendment and by doing so, sports gambling will be legalized in one of the main cities in the state.

The Senate t Resolution

The SJR2 or the ‘Senate t Resolution number two’ has the goal to change the state’s constitution and permit citizens from the state to legally gamble on sports events…

…but only inside the city limits of Deadwood, the only territory where casinos are allowed.

This resolution was ed by 18 Senators, while 14 voted against the amendment. Now, the amendment was ed on to South Dakota’s House and is waiting for its first reading.

The SJR2, issued last month, now has to face the House Committee on State Affairs. Before becoming a law, voters will have to be given the final call about this issue in the next general election in South Dakota.

“The voters would have to change the Constitution, then the Legislature would need to say, ‘we will implement this, and here’s how we’ll tax it.’ And the Legislature will give some state agency the authority to promulgate rules to regulate these games,” South Dakota Gaming Commission Executive, Secretary Larry Eliason, explained.

Points of the Amendment

Although the details of the amendment have not been officially released, it has been confirmed that it proposes the revenue from sports betting taxation go to a special fund…

…that would help with historic restoration and preservation of Deadwood.

Other things that are mentioned in the amendment include the incorporation of other possible forms of gambling in these states, such as lottery and games of chance.

So, if this amendment becomes law, the legislature will have the power to establish a state lottery or to authorize video games of chance…

…either only in the state or together with some of its neighbors.

In SJR2 it is also stated that charities and education bodies will be allowed to offer games of chance only if all proceeds go to education, charities, etc.

No to the Casinos

Even though at this time last year, the Senators said no to casino expansion, the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee approved the bill that gives permission for the opening of the new state casino in Yankton.

For now, casinos are only allowed in Deadwood, but this bill will bring the competition to the famous gambling location. Five senators voted for the bill to , while four of them were against it.

Although Deadwood casinos don’t bring that much money to the state, Mike Rodman, Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director, doesn’t expect a huge revenue from sports betting.

“It’s not a big money-maker, but it gives us some great marketing opportunities for the Super Bowl and March Madness,” Rodman explained.

Source:

“South Dakota Senate es sports betting amendment”, igamingbusiness.com, February 15, 2019.