Sports betting could arrive in South Dakota

The state’s Attorney General’s explanation on the constitutional amendment will appear on petitions to put it on a 2020 ballot.

US.- Sports betting continues to expand in the US and it might arrive in South Dakota after 2020, should a constitutional amendment make it to an election ballot and ultimately get approved. That’s why Attorney General Marty Jackley has issued his explanation for the proposed constitutional amendment that would clear the way for the segment in Deadwood.

Mr Jackley’s explanation for the sports betting measure will appear on petitions that will be circulated by the amendment’s sponsors. Should the petition get enough signatures by November 2019, the proposed amendment would be included in the November 2020 election ballot.

Deadwood Gaming Association Executive Director Mike Rodman recently said that they look at sports betting as another opportunity for marketing Deadwood and keeping it successful. “We just don’t want to be left behind, you know, we want to be a part of that national conversation,” he said.

Deadwood legalised gambling back in 1989 and it helped grow the local tourism industry. Even though sports betting was never included, Rodman assures it happens in the state illegally anyway, so the amendment would give the opportunity to “clean that up” and make sure that people who want to engage in the modality can do it in a safe and regulated manner.