Online Sports Betting in South Dakota

After South Dakota voters approved sports betting legalization in November 2020, casinos in Deadwood started taking retail sports bets in September 2021.

Sports betting in South Dakota is currently limited to a selection of retail sportsbooks at casinos in Deadwood; however, lawmakers in the state continue to make efforts to legalize statewide mobile sports betting.

Here’s what you need to know about online sports betting in South Dakota.

Details About Sports Betting in South Dakota

• Sports betting is legal in South Dakota but limited to retail sportsbooks at a selection of casinos in Deadwood.
• Although the state’s sports betting laws allow for on-site mobile sports betting, none of the four casinos that offer retail sports betting have yet to launch a mobile app.
• A ballot proposal in 2022 would have legalized statewide mobile sports betting, but it died in the House after being passed by the Senate.
• Betting on horse races is also legal in South Dakota. Bettors can use apps such as TVG, BetAmerica, and TwinSpires to bet on horse races online.
• Some illegal offshore sportsbooks offer sports betting in South Dakota. Bettors should avoid these platforms, as they are not legal and may leave users vulnerable to fraud and scams.
• While South Dakota has not explicitly legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests, they have also not prohibited them, leaving platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel to operate in a legal gray area.

Recent Sports Betting News in South Dakota

South Dakota legalized gambling in Deadwood in 1989, and voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2020 to legalize retail sports betting at Deadwood casinos. Because of the limited availability of sports betting and lack of online sports betting, South Dakota’s sports betting industry has remained relatively small. However, there have been recent efforts to expand sports betting to include statewide mobile sports betting. Here are some of the most recent developments in the South Dakota sports betting industry:

• Feb. 25, 2022: The House State Affairs Committee in South Dakota votes against SJR 502, preventing it from appearing on the ballot in 2022. Opponents of the bill say that statewide mobile sports betting would be harmful because it could increase gambling addiction.
• Feb. 8, 2022: SJR 502, which would let residents vote to legalize statewide mobile sports betting in South Dakota, narrowly passes through the Senate. The bill will move to the House.
• Feb. 1, 2022: The South Dakota Senate Commerce and Energy Committee votes to move a proposed ballot measure forward that would legalize statewide online sports betting.
• Sept. 9, 2021: Retail sports betting officially launches at four casinos in Deadwood. Former South Dakota Sen. Bob Ewing and Deadwood Mayor Dave Ruth place the state’s first legal sports bets.
• March 19, 2021: As expected, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signs SB 44 into law to finalize the legalization of sports betting after voters approved legal wagering in November 2020.
• March 5, 2021: After voters passed the sports betting referendum in November, the South Dakota House passes SB 44 by a vote of 58-8. The legislation will now move to the governor’s desk, where it’s expected to be signed into law.
• Nov. 4, 2020: Residents in South Dakota vote to approve legal sports betting in Deadwood by a 59% to 41% margin. Because tribal casinos are allowed to offer anything that’s legal for commercial casinos, they can now offer retail sports betting.

Online Sports Betting Apps Available in South Dakota

There are currently no sports betting apps available in South Dakota. The state’s laws allow casinos with retail sports betting to offer on-site mobile wagering; however, no casinos have launched a mobile betting platform yet. There have been recent efforts to legalize statewide mobile sports betting, with the most recent attempt failing in February 2022. The issue is likely to be revisited in the future, though, as lawmakers remain dedicated to the expansion of sports betting in South Dakota.

Are Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Legal in South Dakota?

Daily fantasy sports apps let players build fantasy teams and compete against other players in daily contests for cash and other prizes. As these contests often depend on the player’s sports knowledge, they can be considered either games of skill or games of chance, and their legality relies on how each state classifies them.

In South Dakota, DFS contests are still unregulated. Because they have not been legalized or prohibited by the state legislature, platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel can operate in the state in a legal gray area. In 2015, the state’s attorney general stated he would not pursue any criminal action against DFS operators.

How to Place Responsible Sports Bets in South Dakota

With sports betting now legal in South Dakota, it’s important for bettors to understand how to gamble responsibly. As the state continues to expand sports betting and make it more accessible to South Dakota residents, bettors should be aware of the dangers of problem gambling and how to avoid it.

Anyone interested in sports betting in South Dakota should follow these responsible gaming practices:

• Only bet at legal and licensed sports betting facilities, and avoid any offshore sportsbooks that claim to operate legally in South Dakota.
• Never place bets while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Set and stick to a strict sports betting budget to minimize the financial impact of losses.
• Understand what problem gambling is and how it can impact your personal life and career.
• Stop betting immediately and seek help if you think you may be addicted to gambling.

Sports betting can be a great source of entertainment, but when it becomes compulsive, it can severely and negatively impact your personal life, career, mental health, and financial well-being.

If you think you might be addicted to gambling, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance.

South Dakota Sports Betting FAQs

Editor’s Note: Information accurate as of July 2022.