Online Sports Betting in South Dakota
Why Online Betting Is Restricted
South Dakota's 2020 Constitutional Amendment B authorized sports betting only "within the city limits of Deadwood." Because the rule is in the constitution rather than ordinary statute, expanding it to statewide mobile requires another constitutional amendment — which means another statewide ballot vote.
Lawmakers have tried twice: SJR 502 in 2022 (passed Senate 18–17, died in House committee) and another attempt in 2023 (failed in House). The third attempt — SJR 504 — is now on track for the November 2026 ballot.
The Geo-Fenced "Mobile" Loophole
BetMGM operates a mobile app inside its two SD partner casinos: Tin Lizzie and Cadillac Jack's. The app uses geolocation to verify you are physically on the casino floor. The moment you leave, the app stops accepting bets. This is the only mobile sports betting option in SD today.
ISI (which powers Mustang Sally's and Gold Dust) and IGT (Deadwood Mountain Grand) do not offer mobile apps in SD — those properties are retail kiosk and over-the-counter only.
SJR 504 — The November 2026 Ballot Measure
Senator Casey Crabtree introduced SJR 504 on January 23, 2026. The Senate Taxation Committee advanced the measure on February 11, 2026. If the resolution clears both chambers, voters will see it on the November 2026 general election ballot.
What SJR 504 Would Do
- Authorize statewide mobile sports betting
- Require operators to partner with a Deadwood casino
- Require sportsbook servers to be physically located in Deadwood
- Direct 90% of mobile sports betting tax revenue toward property tax relief
- Bypass governor signature — passes with a majority from both chambers
Why It Has a Better Chance Than 2022 or 2023
- Property tax relief is one of SD's most pressing political issues — the 90% revenue split is targeted at rural voters who normally oppose gambling expansion
- Retail handle has been declining since launch as bettors cross state lines to Wyoming, Iowa, and Nebraska
- Senate already passed similar resolutions in 2022 — the 2026 House composition is more favorable
Cross-Border Mobile Betting
SD residents who travel across state lines can use legal mobile sportsbooks in neighboring states — Wyoming, Iowa, and Nebraska all allow statewide mobile betting. You must be physically present in the legal state for the app to work; placing bets while in SD is illegal even if your account was created in Wyoming.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
DFS sits in a gray zone in SD. Neither the legislature nor courts have formally addressed it, but state law enforcement has stated that DFS participants will not be prosecuted. DraftKings Fantasy and FanDuel Fantasy operate in SD without state regulation.