South Dakota committee rejects sports betting

A panel in the South Dakota House has voted down a proposal to get voters to decide on sports betting legalisation for Deadwood.

US.- A proposed measure that would’ve allowed voters to decide whether they want sports betting in Deadwood has been struck down by lawmakers.

A South Dakota House panel has rejected a measure that would have asked voters if sports betting should be legalised in historic Deadwood. The South Dakota House State Affairs Committee voted 7-3 and rejected a potential regulation-related vote.

While Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman asserted the city needs to approve the segment in order to get punters with the products they want to gamble on and other states provide, the measure faced major opposition. However, he believes the matter will be put on the 2020 ballot, as he is confident they’ll gather the signatures needed.

“One of the reasons (to reject legalisation) is, it’s an expansion of gambling in South Dakota. Governor Noem has made it clear that she does not wish to have gambling expanded in South Dakota. And frankly the gaming market is probably saturated in our state,” David Wiest, deputy secretary for the state Department of Revenue said.