How to Bet on Sports in South Dakota — Step-by-Step Guide
This is the no-nonsense guide for placing your first legal sports bet in South Dakota. Because SD only allows retail (in-casino) betting, the process is more in-person than in mobile-betting states. Here's exactly what to expect from arrival to ticket in hand.
1. Confirm You Qualify
You must be 21 years or older to place sports bets in South Dakota — at every commercial Deadwood casino and at every tribal casino sportsbook. Residency is NOT required; visitors with valid ID can bet. The 18+ age applies only to horse racing simulcast and DFS, not sports.
- Must be 21+
- Must be physically inside a licensed casino floor
- Must have valid government-issued photo ID
- Not required to be a SD resident
2. Choose Where to Go
All 5 commercial sportsbooks are in Deadwood. BetMGM books (Tin Lizzie, Cadillac Jack's) have the deepest markets and a mobile app for on-property betting. ISI books (Mustang Sally's, Gold Dust) are kiosk-only with simpler markets. IGT (Deadwood Mountain Grand) is the third option.
Two tribal casinos — Dakota Sioux and Dakota Connection (both Sisseton-Wahpeton) — also offer sportsbooks. Other tribal casinos may or may not. Call ahead before traveling.
3. Bring the Right ID
Bring a current, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Common acceptable IDs include drivers license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Expired IDs will be rejected at the cashier.
4. Pick Your Bet Type
The most common bet types you'll see on Deadwood odds boards:
- Moneyline — pick the winner outright
- Point Spread — favorite gives points, underdog gets points
- Total (Over/Under) — combined points/runs/goals scored
- Parlay — multiple bets combined; all must win
- Player Props — individual player stat lines (BetMGM offers most)
- Futures — long-term outcomes (Super Bowl, World Series, etc.)
5. Place the Bet
You have two options at every Deadwood sportsbook:
Self-Service Kiosk: Insert cash or a kiosk voucher, select your sport and bet, confirm, and the kiosk prints your ticket. Most kiosks accept $5 minimum bets.
Over-the-Counter: Walk to the cashier window, tell them the team and bet type ("Vikings -3 for $20"), hand over cash. The cashier prints your ticket and hands it back with any change.
At BetMGM books only: open the BetMGM app, confirm geo-location, place the bet on your phone. The app stops working the moment you leave the property.
6. Hold Your Ticket Carefully
The printed ticket is the only proof of your wager. Lost tickets can sometimes be recovered if the cashier issued you one, but treat it like cash. If you win, return to the cashier or kiosk to redeem.
7. Cashing Out
Winning tickets are paid in cash at the cashier. For payouts over $600, the casino is required to file a W-2G tax form with the IRS — be ready to provide your Social Security number. SD has no state income tax, so federal tax is the only tax owed on winnings.
Key Takeaways
- Must be 21+ and physically inside a licensed SD casino
- Valid photo ID required at every sportsbook
- 5 commercial sportsbooks in Deadwood; some tribal casinos also offer sportsbooks
- BetMGM has the deepest markets — Tin Lizzie or Cadillac Jack's for best in-person experience
- Treat the printed ticket like cash — it's the only proof of your wager
- No state tax on winnings (no SD income tax) — federal tax still applies