South Dakota Votes Against Casino Industry Expansion

Senators of South Dakota have said NO to a resolution that would have allowed further casino industry expansion in the state, according to the local newspaper. Voting against the settlement made a ballot that befalls in November 2018, which is virtually pointless for the state, since senators voted 23-12 and prevented the construction of gaming venues in the town of Yankton. To clarify, state laws currently prohibit additional development of casino facilities without the approval of local citizens, and Senate t Resolution 9 suggested an amendment to the state’s constitution.

ers of the Port Yankton Project see the construction of new gaming venues as a way of restoring and recovering the state’s economy. By attracting new investors and increasing annual revenues, South Dakota could easily become a leader in the region, as reported by the advocates. Additional construction of hotel resorts and a convention center would increment and encourage other economic branches like tourism and infrastructure.

At the same time, numerous tribes that are currently operating casinos around Yankton have expressed a great deal of dissatisfaction in regards to the project, as it would affect their business on a large scale. Nevertheless, officials of the Yankton Sioux and Santee Sioux have expressed interest in the entire venture, although gambling on non-reservation land is prohibited for tribes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

In consonance with a local pastor of Yankton’s Christ the King Lutheran Church, Dani Jo Ninke, bringing another casino to the town would be a disaster in human and only a handful would prosper from economic benefits – which confirmed the state’s strict view on gambling in general.