DEADWOOD, S.D. — Sports wagering is coming to Deadwood. South Dakota joining the growing list of states to offer this form of entertainment. Governor Kristi Noem has signed SB-44 into law, which will regulate and tax sports wagering within the city limits of Deadwood.
The measure will take effect July 1st. Now Deadwood businesses are working with the State Commission on Gaming to figure out what sports wagering will look like in the city, in hopes of being ready for football season in the fall.
Executive Director of Deadwood Gaming Association, Mike Rodman, said, “We’re gonna be moving forward with that, with the hope that we’ll be able to offer those legal sports wagers sometime around the first of September. We are gonna try and catch as much of the football season as we possibly can. And so that’s why we are anxiously working with South Dakota Commission on Gaming to move this forward.”
The process to bring legal sports wagering to Deadwood has been in the works since 2018, when Governor Noem first entered office. Having the governors support for sports wagering helped move the process along faster.
“It’s been really nice working with the legislature and the governor to get this approved,” Rodman said.
Officials estimate an annual increase of nearly seven million dollars in sports betting revenue alone, and an overall gaming revenue boost of $22 million. This time next year, sports wagering is expected to be in full swing, and Deadwood is eager to be a part of March Madness betting.
Rodman added, “The American Gaming Association said that 46 million people are going to be betting on March Madness and Deadwood is anxious to get a piece of that action.”
Some Deadwood casinos are already in the process of putting in sports lounges for their customers, with some new locations under construction as well.
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