South Dakota Governor against sports betting

The governor said she’s against a proposal to allow sports betting in Deadwood and tribal casinos.

US.- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said on Friday that she agrees with state Revenue Deputy Secretary David Wiest, after the latter said that a proposal to allow voters to decide whether they want legalised sports betting in casinos is not ideal.

Noem explained that she’s against the measure as it would expand gambling in the state. “Well, it sounds like he did a good job identifying my concerns with the legislation as it’s coming forward,” she said.

The governor added that she is against expanding gambling in South Dakota: “And I look through that lens at any legislation that puts something else on the table for discussion,” Noem continued. “Our early indications are pretty clear that opening up state sports gambling to the public could end up costing us more than the actual revenue it would bring in. And so that’s a real concern for me. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze,” she said.

Despite her position against the proposal, Noem does not have a direct impact on the subject, as legislative resolutions don’t go to the governor. Several tribal governments also sent representatives to testify in favor of the Deadwood sports-wagering resolution. Federal law currently says that tribal governments should be allowed to offer the same types of gambling that a state government allows.