Last November, a ballot was held in South Dakota. Where the majority voted in favor of incorporating sports betting at Deadwood and tribal gaming facilities of the state.
As a result, Governor Kristi Noem recently signed into law Senate Bill 44, which means the state is one step closer to legal sports betting.
If all goes well, it is forecast that legal sports betting could be available in the state by September.
For Mike Rodman, executive director of the Deadwood Gaming Association, there is still work to be done. But he is very optimistic about it; he stated in an interview: “Our next step will be working with the South Dakota Commission on gaming to promulgate the rules. Once the commission approves the rules, it’ll go back to the interim rules committee for final approval, and then it will be official. We expect that process will take a little bit of time to get everything in place. ”
Be Quick or Be Dead
South Dakota is one of the smallest states in the US, with just 1 million residents. But despite its small size, its betting market is not bad. According to the American Gaming Association, it is projected that the market could reach about $ 22.1 million.
State legislators wasted no time and acted quickly to capture that market. Senate Bill 44 is one of the fastest passed in US history.
Last January, the Bill was introduced to the lawmaking body. Where it received little debate and quickly passed by a 32-2 margin.
Moreover, in February, the opposition presented minimal changes and immediately sent the bill to the South Dakota House, where it was approved on March 4.
Now that the Bill has the governor’s signature, it is expected to take effect on July 1.
A limited market, but with potential
Sports betting will come to South Dakota on a limited basis. Since all the betting activity must be done in-person at Deadwood casinos.
However, mobile bets will be available, but bettors will also have to register in person at the casino facilities to access the betting platforms.
For Pay Per Head bookies, South Dakota is an exciting market since the limited sports betting offer they will have opens up a great business opportunity.
Bookies with a good Pay Per Head provider will be able to offer state residents a superior betting experience. With a broader catalog and better mobile betting platforms.
In conclusion, bookmakers cannot miss this opportunity and should offer their services to South Dakota residents.