Following the previous approval of a sports betting bill by South Dakota’s Deadwood last month, the South Dakota House State Affairs Committee have u-turned on the decision, voting 7-3 against the bill.
The defeat means that a measure which would have surveyed voters on the legalization of sports betting in historic Deadwood has been dismissed.
The state’s Senate had previously shown support for the sports betting bill that was being considered, with the legislation expected to be well received at all levels. But despite receiving support from the state’s residents and legislature, the bill faced a defeat.
Having been defeated by the House State Affairs committee, the bill will now face consideration from the House. Deadwood Gaming Association’s Executive Director, Mike Rodman, emphasised that Deadwood must offer South Dakota customers the gambling products that they have requested, as well as the products that other states are offering.
Rodman added that the bill’s supporters are searching for options which will support the bill, ultimately gathering signatures that would place sports betting on the ballot paper for next year.
The bill faced opposition from Department of Revenue Deputy Secretary David Wiest who stated that the expansion of sports betting into South Dakota and the costs that would arise from implementing regulations would significant surpass the revenues generated from operator taxes.
Since PASPA was overturned last year, one-fifth of the states have already legalized or authorized sports betting. By the end of 2019, it is likely that half of the states will have considered or begun to offer legal, regulated sports betting.
