After Almost a Year-Long Wait, South Dakota Sports Betting Finally Launches in the State

South Dakota sports betting has taken the most important step forward, with sports betting officially launching in the state! This past Wednesday, three sports betting providers received licenses for South Dakota sports betting. This took place at a meeting for the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.

The providers who received licenses are:

• Internet Sports International (ISI)
• BetMGM
• International Game Technology (IGT)

These sports betting providers will be able to provide South Dakota sports betting in the city of Deadwood in five casinos. Four of these Deadwood casinos were up and running to take sports bets as of last Thursday.

Regulators for South Dakota sports betting had their eye on a September 9th launch for a long time. And, the South Dakota Commission on Gaming worked tirelessly to reach that goal.

As of this past Wednesday, there were three other prospective sports betting providers that were not yet ready for approval from the South Dakota Commission on Gaming. Their approvals will now require a special meeting.

On this past Thursday morning, a small ceremony was held to commemorate the state’s first legal sports bets. These bets were placed by Deadwood Mayor David Ruth as well as former State Senator Bob Ewing at the Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort.

The first legal South Dakota sports bets were placed less than 12 hours before the start of the NFL season on September 9th.

The four casinos where South Dakota sports betting has launched are:

• Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort in partnership with BetMGM
• Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort in partnership with BetMGM
• Mustang Sally’s in partnership with Internet Sports International
• Gold Dust Casino in partnership with Internet Sports International

Unfortunately, Deadwood Mountain Grand and IGT were not able to be ready in time for that opening day launch. Last month, BetMGM announced its partnership with Liv Hospitality. BetMGM will be able to offer bets at both kiosks as well as counters.

At this time, South Dakota sports betting is limited in Deadwood to casino properties. Sports bettors are also able to place their bets using the BetMGM app while they are at Tin Lizzie as well as Cadillac Jack.

This past Wednesday, the Commission on Gaming in South Dakota has approved its initial sports betting catalog. But, that is set to expand eventually.

However, the Commission on Gaming will most likely meet before its next scheduled December meeting in a special session. This will be to approve three new service providers for South Dakota sports betting. And, the meeting in December will also most likely see new adjustments to the sports betting catalog in the state.

It has taken almost a year for South Dakota sports betting to launch. Voters approved the measure in a November 2020 vote. As a result, legislators in the state were quick to pass legislation to enact sports betting in the state in 2021. And, back in March 2021, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed South Dakota sports betting into law.

Regulations for sports betting in Deadwood were approved by the Commission on Gaming back in July. And, that was followed by legislative approval back in August. Now, finally, sports betting is legal AND up and running in the state!

Written by Allie Nelson, our US Sports Betting Industry Expert. You can learn more about our author's expertise here.