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Gaming

If you, or someone you know, has a problem with gambling, help is available with the South Dakota Council on Problem Gambling.

The toll free number is 1(888) 781-HELP(4357).

Calls are referred to Gamblers Anonymous groups near their home town.

 

South Dakota Commission on Gaming

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming is a five-member commission appointed by the Governor of the State of South Dakota. The Commission regulates limited wagering in Deadwood, as well as live horse and simulcast racing. Commission staff is under the direction of Mark Heltzel, its Executive Secretary and consists of two divisions: Enforcement and Operations. For general inquiries and licensing questions, contact Mark.Heltzel@state.sd.us. Learn more about Gaming Laws & Regulations.

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Quick Navigation

Enforcement
Operations
Application & Fees
Business Licenses
Live Racing & Simulcast Licenses
Annual Reports
The Commission
Meeting and Meeting Documents
Statistics
Exclusion List

 


Enforcement

The Enforcement Division is responsible for conducting background and criminal investigations relating to limited gaming in addition to monitoring casino gaming activities. The Enforcement Division is under the direction of Mark Heltzel, Deputy Executive Secretary.

 

Operations

The Operations Division conducts regular compliance and revenue audits of casinos within the City of Deadwood. They are responsible for slot machine inspections and all statistical data regarding gaming and racing activity within the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Operations Division is under the direction of Kelly Hanson.

 

Applications & Fees

The types of Business licenses issued by the commission are listed below. All applicants must submit completed fingerprint cards with their application to the South Dakota Commission on Gaming. The cards must be obtained from the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, Deadwood office at (605) 578-3074.

 

 

Slot Machines

Business Licenses

Sports Wagering Services Provider

Any person who maintains or operates the software or hardware of a sports wagering system or facilitates wagering on a sporting event by providing a service, including data aggregation, risk management, computer service, furnishing information or setting odds must complete a Sports Waging Services Provider Application (PDF).  The application fee is $5000, and the license fee is $2000 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $2000.

Operator License

Any person who places slot machines in their business premises must complete an Operator License Application (PDF). The Application fee is $1,000 and the license fee is $1,000 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $200.

Renew LICENSE

Route Operator License

Any person who engages in the business of placing and operating slot machines or gaming tables in another licensee’s place of business within the City of Deadwood must complete a Route Operator License Application (PDF). You must have an Operator License to obtain Route Operator License. The application fee is $1,000 and the license fee is $1,000 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $200.

Renew LICENSE

Retail License

Any person who maintains gaming at the licensee’s place of business within the City of Deadwood for use and operation by the public must complete a Retail License Application (PDF). The application fee is $250 and the license fee is $250 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $100.

Renew LICENSE

Slot Machine Manufacturer or Distributor License

Any person who designs, assembles, fabricates, produces, constructs, sells, leases, distributes or who otherwise prepares a product or a component of a slot machine other than tables or cabinetry, must complete a Slot Machine or Distributor License Application (PDF). The application fee is $5,000 and the license fee is $1,000 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $250.

Renew LICENSE

Associated Equipment Manufacturer or Distributor License

Any person who designs, assembles, fabricates, produces, constructs, sells, leases, distributes or who otherwise prepares a product identified as associated equipment in ARSD 20:18:18:15 must complete an Associated Equipment Manufacturer or Distributor License Application (PDF). The application fee is $500 and the license fee is $500 with a fiscal year (July through June) renewal fee of $250.

Renew LICENSE

Application for a New Game or Game Variation

This is used to apply for a new game or variation of a currently approved game.

Apply NOW

Application for a New League, Wager Type or Sporting Event approval.

This is used to apply for a new League, Wager Type or Sporting event to be added to the approved Sporting Events and Wagering catalog.

Apply NOW

Live Racing & Simulcast Licenses

Men and Women Playing Slots

Multi-Jurisdictional Totalizer Hub License

An entity who wishes to be licensed as a Multi-Jurisdictional Wagering Hub in South Dakota must complete this application. Multi-Jurisdiction Totalizer Hub License Application (PDF)

Renew LICENSE

Simulcast Provider License

A person who provides a signal from another licensed racing jurisdiction to South Dakota must complete a Simulcast Application (PDF).

Renew LICENSE

Simulcast Site Application

A location where a signal from another licensed racing jurisdiction to South Dakota is received from a licensed simulcast provider must complete a Simulcast Site Application (PDF).

Renew LICENSE

Annual Reports

Financial summary of the Commission’s activity for the regulation of gaming and racing activities by fiscal year (July – June).

 

The Commission

The South Dakota Commission on Gaming has a five-member commission consisting of citizens of South Dakota, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of the State of South Dakota. The commission is responsible for the promulgation of rules and regulations governing limited betting in the State of South Dakota.

Name Location Term Party
Karen Wagner,  Chair Belle Fourche, South Dakota 06/2016 - Present Republican
Harry Christianson, Vice Chair Rapid City, South Dakota 01/2022 - Present Republican
Robert Goetz,    Commissioner  Huron, South Dakota 08/2020 - Present Republican
Spencer Hawley,   Commissioner  Brookings, South Dakota  05/2021 - Present Democrat
Mark Millage,     Commissioner

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

09/2023 - Present

Republican

 

Meetings and Meeting Documents

        _________________________________________________________

 

Sporting Event and Wagering Catalog

Exclusion List



South Dakota Gaming Statistics

See below for the statistics showing the collective gaming revenue of the casinos in Deadwood, South Dakota for the last five years. 


Horse Racing Pari-Mutuel Statistics

The Commission on Gaming also regulates pari-mutuel (Certificate System) wagering in South Dakota. Pari-mutuel horse racing is limited to live horse racing conducted at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre, South Dakota and Brown County Fairgrounds in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Revenue from pari-mutuel wagering activity is derived from a payment schedule prescribed by South Dakota state law.

Gaming Online Forms

Gaming Frequently Asked Questions

See frequently asked questions about gaming in Deadwood and other licensed South Dakota properties.

Deadwood, South Dakota is located approximately 60 miles from Mt. Rushmore on scenic route 385.

Blackjack, craps, keno, poker, roulette and slot machines.

$1,000.

Nine (9) percent gaming tax on the adjusted gross proceeds of gaming allowed by SDCL 42-7B-28 28.1. In addition to other fees imposed, there is also a license stamp fee upon each card game or slot machine located on a licensed premise. The annual fee for this stamp is two thousand dollars. SDCL 42-7B-23.

There is Native American gaming in South Dakota at the following locations:

  • Dakota Sioux Casino,  near Watertown, South Dakota
  • Dakota Connection, Sisseton, South Dakota
  • Fort Randall Casino, near Wagner, South Dakota
  • Royal River Casino, Flandreau, South Dakota
  • Lode Star Casino, Ft Thompson, South Dakota
  • Golden Buffalo Casino, Lower Brule, South Dakota
  • Rosebud Casino, near Mission, South Dakota
  • Prairie Wind Casino, near Pine Ridge, South Dakota
  • Grand River Casino, Mobridge, South Dakota

The same games that are offered in Deadwood, SD.

Yes; Triple Crown Casino, North Sioux City, SD.

Historically, live horse racing has been offered in the spring of each year at both the Stanley County Fairgrounds, Fort Pierre, South Dakota and the Brown County Fairgrounds in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

You must be at least 21 years of age for wagering in the casinos in Deadwood and at the tribal casinos. You must be at least 18 years of age for wagering at simulcast locations and live horse racing events.

The State of South Dakota participates in the South Dakota Council on Problem Gambling which is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The toll free number is 1 (888) 781-HELP(4357). Calls are referred to Gamblers Anonymous groups near their home town.

Gaming Laws & Regulations

The South Dakota Commission on gaming oversees laws, regulations and licensing for limited stakes gaming and pari-mutuel horse racing. Learn more about the rules governing limited gaming in the state of South Dakota.

Upcoming Gaming Meetings


Tax Return Filing Due Date



Basic Sales Tax Seminar - ONLINE



Commission on Gaming Meeting 12-10-2024


Deadwood


Tax Return Filing Due Date