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Deadwood Gaming Association Open to Remote Sports Betting Across South Dakota

In our discussion of Amendment B, the Deadwood sports betting initiative, I mentioned that a Yes vote would allow our Lakota neighbors to take sports bets in their casinos as well. I also noted that the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is remaining officially neutral on B since it “does not pertain to the greater Sioux Falls area.”

Au contraire, mes frères! Bob Mercer notes that the Deadwood Gaming Association is pitching Amendment B as an opportunity for non-reservation, non-Deadwood gambling houses to get a piece of the action, too:

During the legislative session, supporters of sports wagering said that non-tribal businesses outside Deadwood could take bets if the Legislature allowed them, provided the bets were placed remotely with Deadwood casinos.

Mike Rodman, executive director for the Deadwood Gaming Association, said Wednesday that the structure would be up to lawmakers.

“The 2021 Legislature will decide the rules surrounding sports wagering if the voters approve Amendment B. Deadwood is looking at sports wagering to drive additional visitors to Deadwood, but would not oppose the mobile options like those available in surrounding jurisdictions,” Rodman said [Bob Mercer, “Possibility That Deadwood Sports-Betting Could Reach Throughout South Dakota via Technology,” KELO-TV, 2020.10.28].

Boy oh boy—pass Amendment B, allow betting by wire and app, and I’ll bet the Deadwood Gaming Association would have free Internet to every corner of South Dakota by the end of 2021.

7 Comments

  1. Donald Pay 2020-10-29 11:13

    Big scam. The money is mostly going to out-of-state corporations, and they dribble a bit out to the gullible. Notice the bait and switch? I never bought the line that this is just for Deadwood. Vote No.

  2. Cory Allen Heidelberger Post author | 2020-10-29 11:57

    Donald, given that the amendment preserves the language in the Constitution about “within the city limits of Deadwood”, what techno-trickery must be done to make a bet I place on my phone in Aberdeen count as a bet placed in Deadwood?

  3. Southsider 2020-10-29 17:34

    What they have done in Iowa, Colorado, and other states is allow each brick and mortar casino to “partner” with a big online sportsbook, thus routing the money, and a small chunk, through each of those locations.

    In Iowa they require you to verify your location by physically visiting the brick and mortar location(and then you can place bets with that provider anytime you are in state limits), whereas in Colorado you can download and deposit and bet with any app available without physically visiting a casino, as long as you are in state lines.

    Geo fences on electronic devices are pretty good and know when you are over a border or not

  4. Jake 2020-10-29 20:44

    I’m with Donald Pay all the way. No is the answer, because yes means full-out gambling by phone or computer. Destination gambling on-site in Deadwood or the res’ casinos is one thing-totally different with full-scale, 24 hr, anywhere gambling.

  5. Debbo 2020-10-29 21:22

    I’m thinking the law says that any kind of gambling available in Deadwood is also legal for the tribes. Yes? No?

  6. Jake 2020-10-30 12:10

    Debbo-I believe you are right.

  7. Debbo 2020-10-30 15:29

    Thanks, Jake.

Comments are closed.