Gambling Laws In South Dakota
There are a number of federal laws in this country which stand to eradicate organized crime, corruption and racketeering through the means of gambling. These laws explicitly outlaw the business of gambling or facilitating bets for profit in order to complete this task however, they leave the ordinary citizen largely alone when it comes to the simple act of placing a bet. While conducting a gambling operation is entirely illegal, gambling itself is not.
With this legislation, or lack thereof, there is much leeway for every state to develop their own laws in regards to which types of gambling should be allowed. The gambling laws in South Dakota were enacted in order to expand the federal laws which govern the entire nation. This article will educate all those in the Mount Rushmore State about South Dakota gambling code and how residents may legally and safely gamble as well as where.
In the South Dakota State Constitution, the term ‘gambling' is defined as "Wagering anything of value upon the outcome of game of chance; maintaining gambling place or equipment" and this is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor which could result in a fine up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. The legislation seems to only be targeted upon the conducting of gambling and not the participation, however. Although unlawful gambling could be construed to mean any wagering outside of a state licensed facility, it appears that no one in South Dakota is being threatened with prosecution for a home poker game or making a bet among friends while watching the big game.
South Dakota is also one of the few states which specifically mention the internet in its gambling legislation. It is illegal to operate a gambling business not only on land but also over the web and is guilty of a class 6 felony for the first offense and then a class 5 for any subsequent offenses. This follows suit with the federal laws already in place all across the nation which explicitly forbid the facilitation of bets for profit or gain. In South Dakota, one could find themselves slapped with up to $10,000 in fines and 5 years in prison. As is the case in many other places in the United States, conducting a gambling business is a major offense and we would not recommend to anyone to even think about committing such an act.
The Mount Rushmore State does have forms of legalized and regulated gambling despite some prohibitive laws. South Dakota allows for pari-mutuel horse and dog racing either live or off-track betting and also allows these establishments to host limited card games and slot machines. There is also charitable gaming which is permitted in the state of South Dakota so long as prizes do not exceed $2,000. Beyond these state licensed exceptions, there is also a concentration of Native American tribal casinos sprinkle throughout the state which operate outside of state regulations due to the federally back Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Land-Based Gambling In South Dakota
There are over 40 gambling facilities located within the borders of South Dakota which carry every form of gambling such as table games, slot machines, poker and pari-mutuel betting on dog and horse races. 10 of these facilities are owned and operated by Native American tribes and offer slightly more advanced gaming options due to the exemptions from state regulations. The most popular destination in South Dakota when it comes to gambling is easily the city of Deadwood. Made famous from its history as a lawless gold mining town, numerous books and television shows pay homage to Deadwood, as it enjoys a high level of tourism to its historic district. The city of Deadwood alone hosts 19 casinos and gambling facilities making it the capital of gambling for the neighboring regions.
Online Gambling In South Dakota
While South Dakota is one of the few states in the union which has specified internet gambling in its legislation, it continues with the federal trend of targeting the business of gambling and not the mere participants who may place a wager. It is unlawful and guilty of a felony to conduct any sort of gambling operation over the internet in South Dakota, however it appears that the patronage of such sites goes unpunished. While it is illegal for any gambling site to exist within the borders of South Dakota or many other places across America, there are still many options available which are accessible by residents of the Mount Rushmore State.
There are a number of online gambling sites which have been in business for decades based in locations such as the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada and although they do not answer to state or federal laws, they abide by their own nation's rules and regulations for online gaming and banking transactions. These sites are held to high standards by their governing authorities and despite their foreign locations, they are in fact often times specifically made for the use of American bettors wishing to take advantage of the loopholes in American laws. With steadfast security and privacy, locals in South Dakota are able to receive checks for their winning bets delivered straight to their home address without worry or concern, on a wide range of wagering options on every major form of gambling.
Popular Gambling Options In South Dakota:
Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos - Online Poker
Our favorite online gambling site has always been by our friends to the north at Bovada. Located in neighboring Canada, this betting network has been in place for decades and initially began as the popular American site 'Bodog' before having to pick up shop and relocate due to restrictive federal laws. They continue to offer every wagering option to American citizens covering the entire gamut from Blackjack to Texas Hold'em and horse racing to sports betting. This online gambling site features an impressively secure network with shockingly fast and efficient banking transactions for depositing funds and withdrawing winnings.
The mobile interface is one of the best on the web and will allow a South Dakota resident to win a hand of cards or predict a future Super Bowl winner on the go no matter where in the state that they are. Users who decide to join up will become full-fledged members within minutes and will be able to access anything they wish 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
| Best Overall Betting Sites | Sports? | Casino? | Poker? | Horses? | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| BetOnline | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
| SportsBetting | YES! | YES! | YES! | YES! | Play Now! |
The legal gambling age in the state of South Dakota is 18 however some casinos may have their own age restrictions set to 21 years of age or older. For all those in the Mount Rushmore State wishing to bet online at one of our recommended South Dakota gambling sites, they are accepting of all legal adults whom are 18 years of age or older.
Best For All Gaming Types
